Gold coin (obverse) bearing a portrait of King James VI, 1580

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This is the obverse of a gold ducat minted at Edinburgh in 1580, during the reign of James VI. The coin was worth 80 shillings Scots.

The obverse has a bare-headed portrait of the king. The Latin inscription translates as: 'James IV, 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: 000-100-084-346-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1911.506.1175
• Date: 1580
  
• Material: Gold; slight double-striking in obverse legend; very slight wear. Inscription: Obv.: Crown . IACOBVS . 6 . D . EI . GRA . REX . SCOTORVM .; bare-headed bust to left. Rev.: Cross . EXVRGAT . DE' . ET . DISSIP . INIMICI . EIVS .; crowned shield of arms; 1
  Coin Type: Third coinage; cf Burns 1, fig 948
  Coin, ducat
  
• Dimensions: Diameter 28.50 x 29.00 mm; weight 6.11 g; die axis 6.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Third coinage; cf Burns 1, fig 948
  Coin, ducat
  
• Subject: Coins and currency
  
• Who: James VI (King)
  Pollexfen collection (1900 sale, lot 380)
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI gold ducat, Scotland, minted in Edinburgh, 1580
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, Ian Halley. The Scottish coinage: with supplement. London: Spink & Son, 1967
• Translations:
• Related Records: