Coin (reverse), lion, from reign of Robert III

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This is the reverse of a gold lion minted at Edinburgh sometime between 1390 and around 1406, during the reign of Robert III. The coin was worth five shillings Scots.

The reverse bears an image of St Andrew, on a long saltire cross, with a fleur-de-lys at either side. The Latin inscription translates as: 'Christ Reigns, Christ Conquers, Christ Commands'.

This is the first Scottish coin to bear a design influenced by the French coinage rather than the English. The legend and the fleur-de-lys motif on the reverse were copied from French coins.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-499-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C2
• Date: 1390 - 1406
  Between 1390 and 1406
  
• Material: Gold; very slight wear. Inscription: Obv. Cross ROBERTVS : DEI : GRA : REX : SCOTORVM :; stops are three pellets arranged vertically, except for the last which is a double saltire; crowned shield / Rev. XPC : RE / NAT : XPC : V / INCI / T : XPC : IMP; sto
  Coin Type: Heavy coinage, 1st issue
  Coin, lion
  
• Dimensions: 26.50 x 27.00 mm D / Die Axis: 4.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Heavy coinage, 1st issue
  Coin, lion
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: Robert III
  St Andrew
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Robert III gold lion, Edinburgh, 1390 - 1406
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: