Silver coin (obverse) minted in Edinburgh during the reign of James VI

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This is the obverse of a silver one-third ryal minted at Edinburgh in 1570, during the reign of James VI. The coin was worth ten shillings Scots.

The obverse bears a crowned shield of arms with a crowned 'I' (for Iacobus [James]) to the left and a crowned 'R' (for Rex [King]) to the right. 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: 000-100-084-385-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1911.506.1192
• Date: 1570
  
• Material: Silver; obverse very slightly off-centre; slight wear. Inscription: Obv.: Cross :. IACOBVS . 6 . DEI . GRATIA . REX . SCOTORVM .:; crowned shield of arms; crowned I to left; crowned R to right. Rev.: :. PRO . ME . SI . MEREOR . IN . ME :.; crowned uprigh
  Coin Type: First coinage
  Coin, one-third ryal
  
• Dimensions: Diam 31.50 x 31.00 mm; weight 10.50 g; die axis 12.5
  
• What: Coin Type: First coinage
  Coin, one-third ryal
  
• Subject: Coins and currency
  
• Who: James VI (King)
  Murdoch collection (1903 sale, lot 245)
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI silver one third ryal, Scotland, minted in Edinburgh, 1570
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, Ian Halley. The Scottish coinage: with supplement. London: Spink & Son, 1967
• Translations:
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