Coin (reverse), Twenty pound piece, from reign of James VI (I of England)

Add to album

This is the reverse of a James VI twenty pound piece - the largest and heaviest gold coin ever issued in Scotland. It dates from 1575.

The reverse bears a half-length portrait of the king, then aged nine years old, in armour holding a sword and olive-branch. The Latin inscription at the foot reads 'Prepared for either', meaning either peace or war.

Of all Scottish coins, the ones from James VI's reign are considered to have the most beautiful designs and most varied legends.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-190-001-085-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C232
• Date: 1575
  
• Material: Gold: slight to moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. IACOBVS . 6 . DEI . GRA . REX . SCOTOR; crowned half-length figure of king in armour to right, holding sword and olive-branch; in panel below bust IN . VTRVNQUE . / . PARATVS . / . 1575 . / Rev. Cross PARCE
  Coin Type: 2nd coinage
  Coin, 20 pound piece
  
• Dimensions: 41.00 x 41.50 mm D / Die Axis: 4.0
  
• What: Coin Type: 2nd coinage
  Coin, 20 pound piece
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: Duke of Devonshire Collection (note on ticket and in NMAS copy of Richardson)
  James VI
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI gold 20-pound piece, Edinburgh, 1575
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1994 
  • Seaby, Peter and Purvey, P. Frank. Standard Catalogue of British Coins Volume 2: Coins of Scotland, Ireland and the Islands. London: B.A. Seaby, 1984 
• Translations:
• Related Records: