Coin (Reverse), two merk piece or thistle dollar, from reign of James VI

This is the reverse of a silver two merk piece minted at Edinburgh in 1578, during the reign of James VI. The coin was worth 26 shillings and eight pence Scots.

The reverse has a thistle flanked by the letters 'I' and 'R' (for Iacobus Rex [King James]). The Latin inscription translates as: 'No one shall hurt me with impunity' and is followed by the date, 1578.

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:	000-190-000-654-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland H.C453
Date:	1578
Material:	Silver: slight wear. Inscription: Obv. Cross . IACOBVS . 6 . DEI . G . REX . SCOTORVM . / Rev. Crown . NEMO . ME . IMPVNE . LACESSET . 1578 .; thistle; I to left; R to right
Dimensions:	37.00 x 36.50 mm D / Die Axis: 2.0
What:	Coin Type: 2nd coinage Coin, two merk piece / thistle dollar
Subject:	Queen Street Coin Collection
Who:	James VI Lockett Collection
Where:	Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
Event:
Description:	James VI silver two-merk piece or thistle dollar, Edinburgh, 1578
References:	'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967
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