Coin (obverse), half-groat, from reign of James III

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This is the obverse of a silver half-groat minted at Berwick between 1475 and 1484, during the reign of James III. The coin was worth six pence Scots.

The obverse bears a crowned bust in a nine-arc tressure. The Latin inscription translates as: 'James, by the Grace of God, King of Scots'.

James III's reign saw a number of major coinage innovations including two new gold coins - the rider and the unicorn; a large billon coin - the plack; and thistle-heads and a realistic portrait of the king appearing on coins for the first time.

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• Online ID: 000-100-052-993-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C2541
• Date: 1475 - 1484
  Between 1475 and 1484
  
• Material: Silver; slightly bent; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Cross IACOBVS : DEI : GRA : REX : SCOT; stops are double saltires; crowned bust facing in nine-arc tressure; crown of three lis / Rev. DnSPER / TECTOR / mSZLII / BERATO : VILL / ABER / WIC / ChII; si
  Coin Type: Stewart IIIb
  Coin, half groat
  
• Dimensions: 18.50 x 17.50 mm D / Die Axis: 2.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Stewart IIIb
  Coin, half groat
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James III
  Perth Hoard, 1920
  
• Where: England, Northumberland, Berwick-upon-Tweed
  Scotland, Perthshire, Perth
  
• Event:
• Description: James III silver half-groat, Berwick, 1475 - 1484
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
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