Coin (obverse), lion noble, from reign of James VI

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This is the obverse of a gold lion noble minted at Edinburgh in 1586, during the reign of James VI. The coin was worth 75 shillings Scots.

The obverse bears a crowned lion sejant with sword and sceptre. The Latin inscription translates as: 'After one hundred and five ancestors, these remain unconquered '.

The coins of James VI's reign are considered to have the most beautiful designs and most varied legends of all Scottish coins. After the Union of the Crowns of 1603, Scottish gold and silver coins closely resembled their English counterparts.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-050-674-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C222
• Date: 1586
  
• Material: Gold; slight to moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Quatrefoil with pellet in centre POST . 5 . & . 100 . PROA' . INVICTA . MANENT . HEC; crowned lion sejant / Rev. Quatrefoil with pellet in centre DEVS . IVDICIVM . TVVM . REGI . DA . 1586; saltire of four c
  Coin Type: 4th coinage
  Coin, lion noble
  
• Dimensions: 26.00 mm D / Die Axis: 10.5
  
• What: Coin Type: 4th coinage
  Coin, lion noble
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James VI
  Murdoch Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI gold lion noble, Edinburgh, 1586
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • RBKS MS list of Murdoch Sale 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: