Add to albumThis is the obverse of a billon penny minted at Edinburgh between 1465 and 1475, during the reign of James III. The coin was worth one penny Scots.
The obverse bears a crowned, unclothed bust. The Latin inscription translates as: 'James, by the Grace of God'.
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.
Record details
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- Online ID: 000-100-053-102-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland
Project description View all records in project
- Ref: National Museums Scotland H.C2650
- Date: 1465 - 1475
Between 1465 and 1475
- Material: Billon; both sides slightly off-centre; slight flattening, moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Cross IACOBVS . D . GBA : BEX; stops are two saltires and a double cross; crowned, unclothed bust facing / Rev. Cross VI / LLA / EDIn / BVRG; single long cross wit
Coin Type: Holmes Class Ab1
Coin, penny
- Dimensions: 13.00 mm D / Die Axis: 11.5
- What: Coin Type: Holmes Class Ab1
Coin, penny
- Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
- Who: James III
- Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
- Event:
- Description: James III billon penny, Edinburgh, 1465 - 1475
- References:
- 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995
- Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967
- Translations:
- Related Records: