Gold 20 pound piece coin (obverse) bearing a figure of King James VI

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This is the obverse of a gold 20 pound piece minted at Edinburgh in 1576, during the reign of James VI. The 20 pound piece was the largest and heaviest gold coin ever minted.

The obverse bears a crowned half-length figure of the king in armour. The Latin inscription in the panel translates as 'Prepared for either (e.g. peace or war)', while that around the edge translates as: 'James VI, by the Grace of God, King of Scots'.

The coins of James VI's reign are considered to have the most beautiful designs and most varied legends of all Scottish coins. After the Union of the Crowns of 1603, Scottish gold and silver coins closely resembled their English counterparts.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-084-345-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1911.506.1174
• Date: 1576
  
• Material: Gold; reverse very slightly off-centre; slight wear. Inscription: Obv.: . IACOBVS . 6 . DEI . GRA . REX . SCOTOR .; crowned half-length figure of king in armour to right; in exergual panel, IN . VTRVNQVE / . PARATVS . / . 1576 .. Rev.: Cross PARCERE SVBIE
  Coin Type: Second coinage; cf Burns 1, fig 947
  Coin, 20-pound piece
  
• Dimensions: Diameter 40.50 x 41.50 mm; weight 30.46 g; die axis 1.5
  
• What: Coin Type: Second coinage; cf Burns 1, fig 947
  Coin, 20-pound piece
  
• Subject: Coins and currency
  
• Who: Clarkson collection (1901 sale, lot 461)
  James VI (King)
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI gold 20 pound piece, Scotland, minted in Edinburgh, 1576
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, Ian Halley. The Scottish coinage: with supplement. London: Spink & Son, 1967
• Translations:
• Related Records: