Silver coin (obverse) minted in 1582 with portrait of King James VI

Add to album

This is the obverse of a silver 20 shilling piece minted at Edinburgh in 1582, during the reign of James VI.

The obverse bears a crowned portrait of the king in armour, holding a sword. 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

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-084-392-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1911.506.1197
• Date: 1582
  
• Material: Silver; slight flattening; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv.: Cross . IACOBVS . 6 . DEI . GRATIA [.] REX . SCOTORVM .; crowned bust left in armour. Rev.: Cross . HONOR . REGIS . IVDICIVM . DILIGIT . 1582 .; crowned shield of arms; to left, I / XX; to righ
  Coin Type: Fourth coinage
  Coin, 20-shilling piece
  
• Dimensions: Diam 34.50 x 34.00 mm; weight 15.11 g; die axis 11.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Fourth coinage
  Coin, 20-shilling piece
  
• Subject: Coins and currency
  
• Who: James VI (King)
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI silver 20 shilling piece, Scotland, minted in Edinburgh, 1582
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, Ian Halley. The Scottish coinage: with supplement. London: Spink & Son, 1967
• Translations:
• Related Records: