Coin (reverse), half-groat, from reign of James III

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This is the reverse of a base silver half-groat minted at Edinburgh between 1470 and 1488, during the reign of James III. The coin was worth three pence Scots.

The reverse has a floreate cross fourchee with thistle-heads in the 1st and 3rd angles and mullets in the 2nd and 4th. The Latin inscription 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: 000-190-000-529-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C2518
• Date: 1470 - 1488
  Between 1470 and 1488
  
• Material: Silver; uneven striking, both sides slightly off-centre; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Cross IACOBVS [: DEI : GR] A : REX : SCOTOR; stops are double saltires; crowned bust three-quarters right in eight-arc tressure / Rev. Cross VIL / LA : E / DInB / VR
  Coin Type: Stewart II
  Coin, half groat
  
• Dimensions: 18.50 mm D / Die Axis: 11.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Stewart II
  Coin, half groat
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: Glenluce Hoard, 1956
  James III
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  Scotland, Wigtownshire, Glenluce
  
• Event:
• Description: James III silver half-groat, Edinburgh, 1470 - 1488
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • BNJ (1959), p 377, pl XXII no 11 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: