Coin (reverse), thistle noble, from reign of James VI

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This is the reverse of a gold thistle noble minted at Edinburgh between 1588 and 1590, during the reign of James VI. The coin was worth 146 shillings and eight pence Scots.

The reverse has a highly ornate design featuring thistles, lions and cross sceptres. The Latin inscription translates as: 'Sceptres flourish with the pious, Jehovah gives them kingdoms and numbers them'.

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: 000-190-000-517-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C236
• Date: 1588 - 1590
  Between 1588 and 1590
  
• Material: Gold: slight wear. Inscription: Obv. Quatrefoil . IACOBVS . 6 . DEI . GRATIA . REX . SCOTORUM .; crowned shield of arms on ship / Rev. Small cross or quatrefoil FLORENT . SCEPT' . PIIS . REGNA . HIS . IOVA . DAT . NVMERA'; ornate design of sceptres, crown
  Coin Type: 5th coinage
  Coin, thistle noble
  
• Dimensions: 35.00 x 35.50 mm D / Die Axis: 9.5
  
• What: Coin Type: 5th coinage
  Coin, thistle noble
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James VI
  Pollexfen Collection (MS note in NMAS copy of Richardson)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI gold thistle noble, Edinburgh, 1588 - 1590
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Richardson (1901), Add 276 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: