Coin (obverse), half crown, from reign of James VI & I

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This is the obverse of a gold half crown minted at Edinburgh between 1609 and 1625, during the reign of James VI & I. The coin was worth 30 shillings Scots or two shillings and six pence English.

The obverse bears a crowned portrait of the king. The Latin inscription translates as: 'James, by the Grace of God. A rose without thorns'.

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: 000-100-080-438-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C18049
• Date: 1609 - 1625
  Between 1609 and 1625
  
• Material: Gold; slight flattening; mostly moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Thistle-head . I . D . G . ROSA . SINE . SPINA .; crowned bust to right / Rev. Thistle-head TVEATVR . VNITA . DEVS .; crowned shield of arms; Scottish arms in 1st and 4th quarters
  Coin Type: Post-Union, 2nd issue
  Coin, half crown
  
• Dimensions: 17.50 x 18.00 mm D / Die Axis: 1.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Post-Union, 2nd issue
  Coin, half crown
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: Coats Collection
  James VI
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Gold half-crown of James VI, Edinburgh, 1609 - 1625
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
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