Coin (Obverse), hardhead, from reign of James VI

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This is the obverse of a hardhead minted at Edinburgh in 1588, during the reign of James VI. The coin was made of billon and was worth two pence Scots.

The obverse bears a crowned 'IR' (for Iacobus Rex [King James]). The Latin inscription translates as: 'James VI, by the Grace of God, King of Scots'.

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: 000-100-053-792-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C3340
• Date: 1588
  
• Material: Billon; slight flattening; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. * IACOB' . 6 . D . G . R . SCOTO' .; initial mark is a quatrefoil; crowned IR / Rev. VINCIT . VERITAS .; crowned shield
  Coin Type: 1st issue
  Coin, hardhead
  
• Dimensions: 19.50 mm D / Die Axis: 5.0
  
• What: Coin Type: 1st issue
  Coin, hardhead
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James VI
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI billon hardhead, Edinburgh, August 1588
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Richardson (1901), 115 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
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