Coin (obverse), half crown, from reign of James VI & I

Add to album

This is the obverse of a gold half crown minted at Edinburgh between 1604 and 1609, during the reign of James VI & I. The coin was worth 30 shillings Scots or two shillings and six pence English.

The obverse bears a half-length portrait of the king wearing the Scottish crown. The Latin inscription translates as 'James, by the Grace of God, a rose without a thorn'.

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

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

• Online ID: 000-100-050-668-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C216
• Date: 1604 - 1609
  Between 1604 and 1609
  
• Material: Gold; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Thistle . I' . D' . G' . ROSA . SINE . SPINA .; crowned bust to right / Rev. Thistle TVEATVR . VNITA . DEVS .; crowned shield of arms; Scottish arms in 2nd quarter of shield
  Coin Type: 1st post-union issue
  Coin, half crown
  
• Dimensions: 18.00 mm D / Die Axis: 3.5
  
• What: Coin Type: 1st post-union issue
  Coin, half crown
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James VI
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI gold half-crown, Edinburgh, 1604 - 1609
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Richardson (1901), 143 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: