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

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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: 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
  Coin Type: 2nd coinage
  Coin, two merk piece / thistle dollar
  
• 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 
• Translations:
• Related Records: