Coin (obverse), lion or hardhead, from reign of Mary, Queen of Scots

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This is the obverse of a billon lion minted at Edinburgh in 1558, during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots. The coin was worth one and a half pence Scots.

The obverse bears an crowned letter 'M'. 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: 000-100-054-469-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C4017
• Date: 1558
  
• Material: Billon; both sides slightly off-centre; generally moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Cross MARIA . D . G . SCOTOR . REGINA .; crown above M; arched crown; pellet within upper part of M / Rev. VICIT . VERITAS . 1558 .; crowned lion rampant to left
  Coin Type: 1st period, 2nd issue
  Coin, lion / hardhead
  
• Dimensions: 16.50 x 17.00 mm D / Die Axis: 3.0
  
• What: Coin Type: 1st period, 2nd issue
  Coin, lion / hardhead
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: Mary, Queen of Scots
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Mary, Queen of Scots billon lion or hardhead, Edinburgh, 1558
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
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