Coin (obverse), 12 pence piece, from reign of James VI

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This is the obverse of a silver 12 pence piece minted at Edinburgh between 1594 and 1596, during the reign of James VI.

The obverse has a bare-headed portrait of the king in armour. There is a single-pellet behind the head. 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

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• Online ID: 000-100-053-757-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C3305
• Date: Between 1594 and 1596
  
• Material: Silver; undersized and misshapen flan, double-struck, some flattening; fairly worn. Inscription: Obv. * . IACOBVS . 6 . D . G . [R] . SCOTO [R] VM .; initial mark is a quatrefoil; bare-headed bust of king in armour, to right / Rev. * NEMO ME IMPVNE [LACES
  Coin Type: 7th coinage
  Coin, 12 pence piece
  
• Dimensions: 16.50 x 15.00 mm D / Die Axis: 3.5
  
• What: Coin Type: 7th coinage
  Coin, 12 pence piece
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James VI
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI silver 12-pence piece, Edinburgh
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Richardson (1901), 73 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: