Coin (obverse), testoon, from reign of Mary, Queen of Scots

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This is the obverse of a silver testoon minted at Edinburgh in 1555, during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots. The coin was worth five shillings Scots.

The obverse bears a crowned 'M' between two crowned thistles. There is a trefoil below the 'M' and an annulet above the left thistle. The Latin inscription translates as: 'Mary, by the Grace of God, Queen of Scots'.

Mary's coinage is divisible into five phases, reflecting her early life, two marriages and two widowhoods. During her reign numerous issues appeared in gold, silver and base metal, many of them comprising denominations never previously struck.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-054-388-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C3936
• Date: 1555
  
• Material: Silver; obverse slightly off-centre; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Cross MARIA . DEI . G . SCOTOR . REGINA . 1555 .; crowned M between 2 crowned thistles; trefoil below M; annulet above left thistle / Rev. DILICIE . DNI . COR . HVMILE; shield superimpo
  Coin Type: 1st period, type II a
  Coin, testoon
  
• Dimensions: 28.00 mm D / Die Axis: 10.5
  
• What: Coin Type: 1st period, type II a
  Coin, testoon
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: Bearman Collection
  Lockett Collection
  Mary, Queen of Scots
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Mary, Queen of Scots silver testoon, Edinburgh, 1555
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
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