This is the reverse of a gold half sword and sceptre piece minted at Edinburgh in 1601, during the reign of James VI. The coin was worth 60 shillings Scots.
The reverse has a crossed sword and sceptre with a crown above, thistles at the sides and the date, 1601, below. The Latin inscription translates as: 'Safety of the people is the supreme law'.
The coins of James VI's reign are considered to have the most beautiful designs and most varied legends of all Scottish coins. After the Union of the Crowns of 1603, Scottish gold and silver coins closely resembled their English counterparts.
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