Coin (Obverse), groat, of James III

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This is the obverse of a silver groat of James III minted at Edinburgh between 1484 and 1489. The coin was worth 14 pence Scots. It was the first Scottish coin to bear a realistic portrait.

The obverse bears a crowned three-quarter facing portrait. There is an annulet on the inner circle to the left of the shoulder. The Latin inscription translates as: 'James, by the Grace of God, King of Scots'.

The picture of the king is the first Renaissance style portrait on a coin minted outside Italy.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-053-018-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C2566
• Date: 1484 - 1489
  Between 1484 and 1489
  
• Material: Silver; slight to moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Cross IACOBVS : DIE : GRACIA : REX : COTR .; stops are double annulets except for a cross after COTR; crowned bust three-quarters left, within beaded inner circle; annulet on inner circle to left of shoul
  Coin Type: Stewart VIg
  Coin, groat
  
• Dimensions: 25.50 mm D / Die Axis: 6.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Stewart VIg
  Coin, groat
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James III
  Whitburn (Cowhill) Hoard, 1921
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  Scotland, West Lothian, Whitburn, Cowhill
  
• Event:
• Description: James III silver groat, Edinburgh, 1484 - 1489
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
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