Coin (obverse), lion, from reign of Robert III

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This is the obverse of a gold lion minted at Edinburgh sometime between 1390 and 1406, during the reign of Robert III. The coin was worth five shillings Scots.

The obverse bears a large crowned shield with the Royal Arms of Scotland. The Latin inscription translates as: 'Robert, by the Grace of God, King of Scots'.

This is the first Scottish coin to bear a design influenced by the French coinage rather than the English. The legend and the fleur-de-lys motif on the reverse were copied from French coins.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-050-454-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C2
• Date: 1390 - 1406
  Between 1390 and 1406
  
• Material: Gold; very slight wear. Inscription: Obv. Cross ROBERTVS : DEI : GRA : REX : SCOTORVM :; stops are three pellets arranged vertically, except for the last which is a double saltire; crowned shield / Rev. XPC : RE / NAT : XPC : V / INCI / T : XPC : IMP; sto
  Coin Type: Heavy coinage, 1st issue
  Coin, lion
  
• Dimensions: 26.50 x 27.00 mm D / Die Axis: 4.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Heavy coinage, 1st issue
  Coin, lion
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: Robert III
  St Andrew
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Robert III gold lion, Edinburgh, 1390 - 1406
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
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