Coin (Obverse), ryal, from reign of James VI

Add to album

This is the obverse of a silver ryal minted at Edinburgh in 1567, during the reign of James VI. The coin was worth 30 shillings Scots.

The obverse bears a crowned shield, flanked by the letters 'I' and 'R' (for Iacobus Rex [King James]). 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

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

• Online ID: 000-100-050-881-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C429
• Date: 1567
  
• Material: Silver; slight to moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Cross . : IACOBVS . 6 . DEI . GRATIA . REX . SCOTORVM .; six pellets on band of crown; crowned shield of arms; crowned I to left; crowned R to right / Rev. : . PRO . ME . SI . MEREOR . IN . ME : .; 1567 i
  Coin Type: 1st coinage
  Coin, ryal
  
• Dimensions: 43.00 mm D / Die Axis: 11.5
  
• What: Coin Type: 1st coinage
  Coin, ryal
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James VI
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI silver ryal, Edinburgh, 1567
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Richardson (1901), 2 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: