Coin (obverse), 40 pence piece, from reign of Charles I

This is the obverse of a silver 40 pence piece minted at Edinburgh in 1637, during the reign of Charles I. The coin was worth three shillings and four pence Scots.

The obverse bears a crowned portrait of the king. Behind his head is the number 'XL', indicating the coin's value. The Latin inscription translates as: 'Charles, by the Grace of God, King of Scots, England, 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

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Online ID:	000-100-053-878-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland H.C3426
Date:	1637
Material:	Silver; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. CAR . D : G . SCOT . ANG . FR . ET . HIB . R .; crowned bust to left with a small sideways B below; XL behind head / Rev. . SALVS . REIPVB . SVPREMA . LEX; small sideways B after legend; crowned thistle
Dimensions:	20.50 mm D / Die Axis: 3.0
What:	Coin Type: 3rd coinage, 1st (Briot's) issue Coin, 40 pence piece
Subject:	Queen Street Coin Collection
Who:	Charles I Lockett Collection
Where:	Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
Event:
Description:	Charles I silver 40-pence piece, Edinburgh, 1637
References:	'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967
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