Coin (reverse), 'penny', from reign of James III

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This is the reverse of a silver 'penny' minted at Edinburgh between 1475 and 1484, during the reign of James III. Although called a penny, because of the rising price of silver the coin was worth three pence Scots.

The reverse has a single long cross with three pellets in the 1st and 3rd angles and six-pointed mullets in the 2nd and 4th. The Latin translates as: 'Town of Edinburgh'.

James III's reign saw a number of major coinage innovations including two new gold coins - the rider and the unicorn; a large billon coin - the plack; and thistle-heads and a realistic portrait of the king appearing on coins for the first time.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-640-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C4238
• Date: 1475 - 1484
  Between 1475 and 1484
  
• Material: Silver; very irregular flan; flan crack at 5.0 (obverse); moderate wear; some flattening. Inscription: Obv. Cross IACOB [ ] GRA [ ] REX . SO; stop is saltire - possibly lower part of double; crowned bust facing / Rev. [ ] / LA . E / DEIn / BOVR; st
  Coin Type: Stewart III
  Coin, penny
  
• Dimensions: 14.50 x 15.00 mm D / Die Axis: 7.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Stewart III
  Coin, penny
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James III
  Sheriff Mackenzie Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James III silver penny, Edinburgh, 1475 - 1484
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: