Coin (Obverse), farthing, from reign of James III

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This is the obverse of a farthing minted at Edinburgh between 1466 and 1471, during the reign of James III. The coin was made of copper and was worth a quarter of a penny Scots.

The obverse bears a small crown above the letters 'IR' (for Iacobus Rex [King James]). The Latin inscription translates as: 'James, by the Grace of God'.

The coin is an example of the 'black money' struck during the reigns of James II and III. There are a number of references in contemporary documents but the exact dates of issue of most of the coins are unknown.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-054-888-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C4440
• Date: 1466 - 1471
  Between 1466 and 1471
  
• Material: Copper; part of edge ragged; fairly worn. Inscription: Obv. Cross IACOBVS . [D] EI . GIA; stops are saltires; B malformed; crown above IR / Rev. Cross VILLA . EDIn [ ]; crown superimposed on large saltire; small saltire to either side + below
  Coin Type: 2nd issue
  Coin, farthing
  
• Dimensions: 14.00 x 13.00 mm D
  
• What: Coin Type: 2nd issue
  Coin, farthing
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James III
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James III copper farthing, Edinburgh, 1466 - 1471
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: