Coin (obverse), half-unit or double crown, from reign of Charles I

This is the obverse of a gold half-unit minted at Edinburgh between 1625 and 1636, during the reign of Charles I. The coin was worth £12 Scots or £1 English.

The obverse bears a portrait of the king in armour. The Latin inscription translates as: 'Charles, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland'.

During Charles's reign the mill and screw coin press was introduced to Scotland by a Frenchman, Nicolas Briot, who was Master of the Mint for a time. The press lent Charles's coins a level of technical excellence previously unknown.

Record details

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

Online ID:	000-100-050-676-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland H.C224
Date:	1625 - 1636 Between 1625 and 1639
Material:	Gold; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Thistle . CAROLVS . D . G . MAG . BRIT . FRAN . & . HIB . REX .; crowned bust to right / Rev. Thistle HENRICVS . ROSAS . REGNA . IACOBVS .; crowned shield of arms; C to left; R to right
Dimensions:	28.50 mm D / Die Axis: 8.5
What:	Coin Type: 1st coinage Coin, half unit
Subject:	Queen Street Coin Collection
Who:	Charles I
Where:	Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
Event:
Description:	Charles I gold half-unit, Edinburgh, 1625 - 1636
References:	'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967
Translations:
Related Records:

< 1 of 1 > Back