Coin (Obverse), four shilling piece, from reign of James VI

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This is the obverse of a silver four shilling piece minted at Edinburgh in 1581, during the reign of James VI.

The obverse bears a portrait of the king in armour on horseback. 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: 000-190-000-658-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C459
• Date: 1581
  
• Material: Silver: moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Cross . IACOBVS . 6 . DEI . GRATIA . REX . SCOTOR; crowned shield; last R with cross let / Rev. Cross . NEMO . ME . IMPVNE . LACESSET 1581; crowned thistle; Ns are reversed; I to left; R to right
  Coin Type: 3rd coinage
  Coin, 4 shilling piece
  
• Dimensions: 24.50 x 24.00 mm D / Die Axis: 9.0
  
• What: Coin Type: 3rd coinage
  Coin, 4 shilling piece
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James VI
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI silver 4-shilling piece, Edinburgh, 1581
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
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