Coin (obverse), lion, from reign of James IV

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This is the obverse of a gold lion minted at Edinburgh between 1492 and 1513, during the reign of James IV. The coin was worth 14 shillings Scots.

The obverse bears a crowned shield of arms with a fleur-de-lys to either side. The Latin inscription translates as: 'James IV, by the Grace of God, King of Scots'.

James IV's coins were mainly continuations of the types issued during the previous reign. Those stylistic changes that did occur were largely backward-looking. No attempt was made to follow James III's example of using a realistic portrait.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-084-261-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1911.506.1115
• Date: 1492 - 1513
  Between 1492 and 1513
  
• Material: Gold; slight double-striking on reverse; very slight wear. Inscription: Obv.: Crown IACOBVS . DEI . GRA . REX . SCOTTORVm . IIII .; 5-pointed star stops; crowned shield of arms, with lis to either side. Rev.: Crown SA / LVVm . FAC / . PPLV / V . TVVmDn /
  Coin Type: II; cf Burns 1, fig 673
  Coin, lion
  
• Dimensions: Diameter 26.50 mm; weight 3.32 g; die axis 11.5
  
• What: Coin Type: II; cf Burns 1, fig 673
  Coin, lion
  
• Subject: Coins and currency
  
• Who: James IV (King)
  Pollexfen collection (1900 sale, lot 312)
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James IV gold lion, Scotland, minted in Edinburgh, 1492-1513
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: