Coin (Obverse), hardhead, from reign of James VI

This is the obverse of a hardhead minted at Edinburgh in 1588, during the reign of James VI. The coin was made of billon and was worth two pence Scots.

The obverse bears a crowned 'IR' (for Iacobus Rex [King James]). 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:	000-100-053-792-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland H.C3340
Date:	1588
Material:	Billon; slight flattening; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. * IACOB' . 6 . D . G . R . SCOTO' .; initial mark is a quatrefoil; crowned IR / Rev. VINCIT . VERITAS .; crowned shield
Dimensions:	19.50 mm D / Die Axis: 5.0
What:	Coin Type: 1st issue Coin, hardhead
Subject:	Queen Street Coin Collection
Who:	James VI
Where:	Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
Event:
Description:	James VI billon hardhead, Edinburgh, August 1588
References:	'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 Richardson (1901), 115 Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967
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