Gold coin (reverse) showing sword and sceptre

This is the reverse of a gold half sword and sceptre piece minted at Edinburgh in 1601, during the reign of James VI. The coin was worth 60 shillings Scots.

The reverse has a crossed sword and sceptre with a crown above, thistles at the sides and the date, 1601, below. The Latin inscription translates as: 'Safety of the people is the supreme law'.

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:	000-190-000-018-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland A.1911.506.1185
Date:	1601
Material:	Gold; very slight wear. Inscription: Obv.: Rosette . IACOBVS . 6 . D . G . R . SCOTORVM .; crowned shield of arms. Rev.: Rosette . SALVS . POPVLI . SVPREMA . LEX . ; crossed sword and sceptre; crown above; thistle-head to either side; . 1601 . below
Dimensions:	Diameter 22.00 x 21.50 mm; weight 2.52 g; die axis 11.0
What:	Coin Type: Eighth coinage Coin, half sword and sceptre piece
Subject:	Coins and currency
Who:	Bain collection (1901 sale, lot 55) James VI (King)
Where:	Scotland Scotland, Edinburgh
Event:
Description:	James VI gold half sword and sceptre piece, Scotland, minted in Edinburgh, 1601
References:	'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 Stewart, Ian Halley. The Scottish coinage: with supplement. London: Spink & Son, 1967 Find in NLS: Title, Author, Title+Author or British Library: Title, Author, Title+Author
Translations:
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