Coin (obverse), 30 shilling piece, from reign of Mary, Queen of Scots

Add to album

This is the obverse of a gold 30 shilling piece, or half-ryal, minted at Edinburgh in 1555, during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots.

The obverse bears an uncrowned portrait of the queen. The Latin inscription translates as: 'Mary, by the Grace of God, Queen of Scots'.

Mary's coinage is divisible into five phases, reflecting her early life, two marriages and two widowhoods. During her reign numerous issues appeared in gold, silver and base metal, many of them comprising denominations never previously struck.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-050-632-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C180
• Date: 1555
  
• Material: Gold; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. . MARIA . DEI . G . SCOTOR . REGINA .; stops are five pellets, trefoil; bust to left / Rev. . IVSTVS . FIDE . VIVIT . 1555 .; stops are four pellets, trefoil; crowned shield of arms
  Coin, 30 shilling piece / half ryal
  
• Dimensions: 22.00 mm D / Die Axis: 4.5
  
• What: Coin, 30 shilling piece / half ryal
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: Mary, Queen of Scots
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Mary, Queen of Scots gold 30-shilling piece or half-ryal, Edinburgh, 1555
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: