Coin (obverse), bawbee, from reign of Mary, Queen of Scots

Add to album

This is the obverse of a billon bawbee minted at Edinburgh between 1543 and 1554, during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots. The coin was worth six pence Scots.

The obverse bears a crowned thistle flanked by the letters 'M' and 'R' (for Regina [Queen]). The Latin inscription translates as: 'Mary, by the Grace of God, Queen of Scots'.

The name 'bawbee' is derived from 'Sillebawby' - Alexander Orrok of Sillebawby was Master of the Mint when these coins were struck.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-060-696-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C10254
• Date: 1543 - 1554
  1543-54
  
• Material: Billon; small edge nicks at 3.5 and 11.0 (obverse); reverse very slightly off-centre; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Cross MARIA . D : G . REGINA . SCOTORV; crowned thistle; M to left; R to right / Rev. Lis . OPPIDVM . EDINBVRGI.; saltire through crown;
  Coin Type: Stevenson Group 2, Class IVa
  Coin, bawbee
  
• Dimensions: 22.00 mm D / Die Axis: 7.5
  
• What: Coin Type: Stevenson Group 2, Class IVa
  Coin, bawbee
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: Mary, Queen of Scots
  Rigghead Hoard, 1963
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Dumfriesshire, Torthorwald, Collin, Rigghead Sandpit
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Mary, Queen of Scots billon bawbee, Edinburgh, 1543 - 1554
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • BNJ 59 (1989); Stevenson, R.B.K., p 148, pl 13 (no 63) 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: