Coin (Obverse), farthing, from reign of James III

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This is the obverse of a farthing minted between 1465 and 1485, during the reign of James III. The coin was made of copper and was worth a quarter of a penny Scots.

The obverse bears a trefoil with a five-pointed mullet in the centre and a fleur-de-lys in each leaf. There are crowns (only one of which is visible) in the top two angles between the leaves. Unusually, there is no inscription.

Because coins such as this were at one time believed to have been struck at an ecclesiastical mint, they are sometimes referred to as the 'ecclesiastical issue'

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-054-887-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C4439
• Date: 1465 - 1485
  Between 1465 and 1485
  
• Material: Copper; very uneven striking; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. No legend; trefoil with five-pointed mullet in centre + lis in each leaf; crowns in top two angles between leaves (on ly one visible) / Rev. [MO] / PA / VP / ER; long floreate cross with five-
  Coin Type: "Ecclesiastical" type III
  Coin, farthing
  
• Dimensions: 12.50 mm D / Die Axis: 1.0
  
• What: Coin Type: "Ecclesiastical" type III
  Coin, farthing
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James III
  
• Where: Uncertain
  
• Event:
• Description: James III copper farthing, 1465 - 1485
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: