Coin (obverse), five shilling piece, from reign of James VI

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This is the obverse of a silver five shilling piece minted at Edinburgh in 1593, during the reign of James VI.

The obverse has a bare-headed portrait of the king in armour. 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

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-556-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C3291
• Date: 1593
  
• Material: Silver; slightly off-centre on reverse, part of edge ragged; generally moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. * . IACOBVS . 6 . D . G . R . SCOTORVM .; initial mark is a quatrefoil; bare-headed bust of king in armour, to right / Rev. * . NEMO . ME . IMPVNE . LA
  Coin Type: 7th coinage
  Coin, five shilling piece
  
• Dimensions: 26.50 mm D / Die Axis: 5.0
  
• What: Coin Type: 7th coinage
  Coin, five shilling piece
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James VI
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI silver five-shilling piece, Edinburgh, 1593
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
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