Gold coin (reverse) with crowned thistle detail

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This is the reverse of a gold thistle crown minted at Edinburgh between 1604 and 1625, during the reign of James VI & I. The coin was worth 48 shillings Scots or 4 shillings English.

The reverse has a crowned thistle. The Latin inscription translates as: 'May God guard these united (i.e. kingdoms)'.

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: 000-190-000-020-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1911.506.1189
• Date: 1604 - 1625
  Between 1604 and 1625
  
• Material: Gold; slight to moderate wear. Inscription: Obv.: Thistle-head . IA'. D'. G'. MAG'. BR'. F'. & . H'. REX .; crowned rose. Rev.: Thistle-head TVEATVR . VNITA . DEVS .; crowned thistle
  Coin Type: Post-Union coinage; cf Burns 2, fig 988
  Coin, thistle crown
  
• Dimensions: Diameter 21.00 mm; weight 1.93 g; die axis 5.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Post-Union coinage; cf Burns 2, fig 988
  Coin, thistle crown
  
• Subject: Coins and currency
  
• Who: James VI (King)
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI gold thistle crown, Scotland, minted in Edinburgh, 1604-1625
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, Ian Halley. The Scottish coinage: with supplement. London: Spink & Son, 1967
• Translations:
• Related Records: