This is the reverse of a silver 'pattern' sixty shilling piece. The dies for striking this coin date from 1688, during the reign of James VII, but no coins were actually issued at this time. This example was struck in 1828, using the original dies.
The reverse shows the royal arms as used in Scotland, below a crown. Surrounding the arms is the collar of the Order of the Thistle, a chivalric order revived by James VII in 1687. The inscription reads: 'King of Great Britain, France and Ireland'.
James' reign as successor to his elder brother began in 1685 and ended four years later in military defeat at the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland. James' Scottish coinage comprised just two denominations in silver (40 shillings and 10 shillings).
To search on related items, click any underlined text below.