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

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This is the obverse of a silver 40 pence piece minted at Edinburgh between 1638 and 1642, 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 with the number 'XL' behind his head, 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: 000-100-053-906-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C3454
• Date: 1638 - 1642
  1638-42
  
• Material: Silver; both sides slightly off-centre, slight flattening; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. CAR . D : G . SCOT . ANG . FR . ET . HIB . R; crowned bust to left; XL behind head / Rev. . SALVS . REIPVB . SVPREMA . LEX .; crowned thistle; small sideways F abo
  Coin Type: 3rd coinage, 3rd issue (1st F)
  Coin, 40 pence piece
  
• Dimensions: 20.50 mm D / Die Axis: 6.5
  
• What: Coin Type: 3rd coinage, 3rd issue (1st F)
  Coin, 40 pence piece
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: Charles I
  Lockett Collection
  Murdoch Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Charles I silver 40-pence piece, Edinburgh, 1638 - 1642
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
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