Gold coin (obverse) minted in Edinburgh 1593 showing King James VI on horseback

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This is the obverse of a gold half-rider minted at Edinburgh in 1593, during the reign of James VI. The coin was worth 50 shillings Scots.

The obverse bears an image of the king on horseback, while in the exergue is the date, 1593. The Latin inscription 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: 000-100-084-353-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1911.506.1182
• Date: 1593
  
• Material: Gold; slight edge damage at 1.5 (obverse); slight wear. Inscription: Obv.: Quatrefoil . IACOBVS . 6 . D . G . R . SCOTORVM .; king on horseback to right; . 1593 . in exergue. Rev.: Quatrefoil . SPERO . MELIORA .; crowned shield of arms
  Coin Type: Seventh coinage; cf Burns 1
  Coin, half-rider
  
• Dimensions: Diameter 22.00 mm; weight 2.48 g; die axis 8.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Seventh coinage; cf Burns 1
  Coin, half-rider
  
• Subject: Coins and currency
  
• Who: James VI (King)
  Pollexfen collection (1900 sale, lot 387)
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI gold half rider, Scotland, minted in Edinburgh, 1593
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, Ian Halley. The Scottish coinage: with supplement. London: Spink & Son, 1967
• Translations:
• Related Records: