Coin (obverse), quarter rider, from reign of James III

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This is the obverse of a gold rider minted at Edinburgh between 1475 and 1484, during the reign of James III. The coin was worth five shillings and nine pence Scots.

The obverse bears an image of the king in armour riding a galloping horse. The Latin inscription translates as: 'James, by the Grace of God, King of Scots'.

James III's reign saw a number of major coinage innovations including two new gold coins - the rider and the unicorn; a large billon coin - the plack; and thistle-heads and a realistic portrait of the king appearing on coins for the first time.

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-631-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C4090
• Date: 1475 - 1484
  Between 1475 and 1484
  
• Material: Gold; slight to moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. IACOBV / SDEIGR / AREX : S / COTORV; stop is double pellet; crowned shield on long cross; single tressure fleurie around shield / Rev. Cross SAL W M FAC POPVLVM T W VM DOMIN; W represents overlapping pairs
  Coin, quarter rider
  
• Dimensions: 16.50 mm D / Die Axis: 2.0
  
• What: Coin, quarter rider
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James III
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James III gold quarter-rider, Edinburgh, 1475 - 1484
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
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