Coin (obverse), half-unicorn, from reign of James IV

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This is the obverse of a gold half-unicorn minted at Edinburgh between 1488 and 1505, during the reign of James IV. The coin was worth nine shillings Scots.

The obverse bears a unicorn holding a shield of arms. The Latin inscription translates as: 'James, by the Grace of God, King of Scots'.

James IV's coins were mainly continuations of the types issued during the previous reign. Those stylistic changes that did occur were largely backward-looking. No attempt was made to follow James III's example of using a realistic portrait.

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• Online ID: 000-100-084-260-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1911.506.1116
• Date: 1488 - 1505
  Between 1488 and 1505
  
• Material: Gold; slight wear. Inscription: Obv.: . IACOBVS : DEI : GRACIA : REX . SCT .; stops are single and double V-shaped ornaments; unicorn to left, holding shield of arms. Rev.: Lis EXVRGAT . D . S . ET . DISIPEnTVR In; stops are V-shaped ornaments; final n d
  Coin Type: Stewart Ia; Murray q (Id); cf Burns 1, fig 660
  Coin, half-unicorn
  
• Dimensions: Diameter 21.00 x 20.50 mm; weight 1.91 g; die axis 7.0
  
• What: Coin Type: Stewart Ia; Murray q (Id); cf Burns 1, fig 660
  Coin, half-unicorn
  
• Subject: Coins and currency
  
• Who: James IV (King)
  Pollexfen collection (1900 sale, lot 309)
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James IV gold half unicorn, Scotland, minted in Edinburgh, 1488-1505
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
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