Add to albumThis is the obverse of a gold ducat minted at Edinburgh in 1540, during the reign of James V. The coin was worth 40 shillings Scots. James's ducat was the first Scottish gold coin to bear a portrait.
The obverse bears a portrait of the king wearing a bonnet. There is an annulet on the inner circle behind the head. The Latin inscription translates as: 'James V, by the Grace of God, King of Scots'. The coin is dated 1540.
James V's reign saw the introduction of two new gold coins - the crown and the ducat. A new billon coin called the bawbee also appeared for the first time.
Record details
To search on related items, click any underlined text below.
- Online ID: 000-100-084-273-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland
Project description View all records in project
- Ref: National Museums Scotland A.1911.506.1121
- Date: 1540
- Material: Gold; slight wear. Inscription: Obv.: Saltire IACOBVS . 5 . DEI . G . R . SCOTOR . 1 . 5 . 40; pellet stops; bust to right, wearing bonnet. Rev.: Cross HONOR . REGIS . IVDICIVM . DILIGIT; pellet stops, with die flaw by first; crowned shield of arms super
Coin Type: cf Burns 4, fig 754
Coin, ducat / bonnet piece
- Dimensions: Diameter 22.00 x 23.00 mm; weight 5.62 g; die axis 5.5
- What: Coin Type: cf Burns 4, fig 754
Coin, ducat / bonnet piece
- Subject: Coins and currency
- Who: James V (King)
- Where: Scotland
Scotland, Edinburgh
- Event:
- Description: James V gold ducat / bonnet piece, Scotland, minted in Edinburgh 1540
- References:
- 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995
- Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967
- Translations:
- Related Records: