Post mediaeval Scottish coinage 1513-1707

[Deeman]

James VI second coinage 1572-80

In 1572 the merk unit of currency was established at 13/4d. Initially only half (6/8d) and quarter (3/4d) merk coins were struck, followed by double-merks and finally a one merk piece in 1580. The quarter-merk became known as the forty pence piece.

The crackdown on forgeries only had limited success and due to the number in circulation, in 1575, hardheads and placks of Mary's were called in and the genuine coins reissued with a heart and a star countermark, the arms of the Earl of Morton, regent for James VI at the time.

In 1575 a £20 piece, weighing one ounce Scottish, was struck in Edinburgh - the largest Scottish denomination ever produced. There was a further issue the following year.

In 1578 the price of silver in Scotland had risen so steeply that the existing silver coinage was suddenly worth more than its face value and was in danger of being melted down and exported as bullion. To remedy this crisis, these coins were recalled and consequently counterstruck with the simple crowned thistle to raise their value. The coins were required to be sent to the mint to be countermarked and returned to the owners subject to deduction, for royalty and mint expenses, of four shillings and threepence on each of the thirty-shilling pieces (ryals), and pro rata on the parts, and of tenpence on each of the testoons. This revalued the ryal at 36/9d. These measures were not very popular. The time allowed for receiving the Mary and James ryals and their fractions, and the Mary testoons, at the mint for countermarking, had to be extended from time to time; notwithstanding repeated declarations that such of the said money as remained uncountermarked at the respective dates was to be received in payment or exchange at its original value only. Counterstriking continued until 1580, when coins of a finer silver content were issued.

Coinage introduced:
Gold – £20-piece 1575/6
Silver – double-merk (26/8d) 1578-80
Silver – merk (13/4d) 1580
Silver – half-merk (6/8d) 1572-75, 77, 80
Silver – quarter-merk (3/4d) 1572, 73, 77, 80



Gold £20 dated 1575



Obverse: IACOBVS·6·DEI·GRA·REX·SCOTOR (James VI, by the grace of God, King of Scots), crowned and armoured half-length bust of boy king facing right, olive branch in left hand (emblematic of peace), sword over shoulder in right (emblematic of war); in the cartouche below IN·VTRVNQVE· / PARATVS· / ·1575· (Prepared for either) mirroring the imagery.
Reverse:  PARCERE SVBIECTIS·& DEBELLARE SVPERBOS (To spare the humbled and subdue the proud) citation from Virgil's Aeneid, crowned shield of Scottish Arms.



Gold £20 dated 1576



Sword arm closer to body.



Silver double merk (26/8d) dated 1579



Obverse: ·IACOBVS·6·DEI·G·REX·SCOTORVM· (James VI, by the grace of God, King of Scots), crowned shield of Scottish Arms.
Reverse: crown mintmark, ·NEMO·ME·IMPVNE·LACESSET·1579· (No one shall hurt me with impunity), thistle flanked by 'I R' (Iacobus Rex).



Silver merk (13/4d) dated 1580



Apart from the date, same design and inscriptions as double merk.



Silver half-merk (6/8d) dated 1572



Obverse: ·IACOBVS·6·DEI·G·REX·SCOTORVM· (James VI, by the grace of God, King of Scots), crowned shield of Scottish Arms, flanked by value '6 8'.
Reverse: cross pattée mintmark ·SALVVM·FAC·POPVLVM·TVVM·DNE·1572· (O Lord, save thy people), floriate cross fourchée, centre mullet, thistle head and crown in alternate angles.



Silver half-merk (6/8d) dated 1580



When compared to the 1572 image, the ends of the cross are larger and the crowns and thistle heads lie in different angles.



Silver quarter-merk (3/4d) 1580



Design and inscriptions same as 1572 half-merk but shield flanked by value '3 4'.

[Deeman]

James VI third coinage 1580-81

Coinage introduced:
Gold – ducat (£4) 1580
Silver – 16/-, 8/-, 4/- and 2/-, all 1581

In 1581 a new currency based on sixteen shillings and its fractions was ordered on 1 July. A few months later orders were given to cease their striking and, in March 1582, the coins were withdrawn from circulation because they were too much overvalued. It was ordered that they be brought into the Mint for re-coining into pieces for the next coinage. They are extremely rare as a result of this.



Gold ducat (80/-) dated 1580



Obverse: crown mintmark, ·lACOBVS·6·DEI·GRATIA·REX·SCOTORVM· (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), youthful draped bust facing left wearing ruffled collar.
Reverse: cross mintmark, EXVRGAT·DE·ET·DISSIP·INIMICI·EIVS (Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered), crowned shield of Scottish Arms, flanked by date.



Silver sixteen shillings dated 1581



Same design and inscriptions as the double merk issue 1578-80 except the thistle is crowned.
Obverse: ·IACOBVS·6·DEI·GRATIA·REX·SCOTORVM· (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), crowned shield of Scottish Arms.
Reverse: NEMO·ME·IMPVNE·LACESSET·1581 (No one shall hurt me with impunity), crowned thistle, flanked by 'I R' (Iacobus Rex).



Silver eight shillings dated 1581



Same as 16 shillings.



The four shillings piece has the obverse inscription slightly truncated to ·IACOBVS·6·DEI·GRATIA·REX·SCOTOR·, and the two shillings piece has ·IACOBVS·6·DEI·G·REX·SCOTORVM·.

[Deeman]

James VI fourth coinage 1582-84

Coinage introduced:
Silver – 40/- 1582
Silver – 30/- 1582-84
Silver – 20/- 1582-84
Silver – 10/- 1582/83



Silver forty shillings dated 1582



Obverse: IACOBVS·6·DEI·GRATIA·REX·SCOTORVM· (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), crowned and armoured bust facing left, holding sword.
Reverse: HONOR·REGIS·IVDICIVM·DILIGIT·1582· (The King's power loveth judgement), crowned shield of Scottish Arms, flanked by 'I R' (Iacobus Rex) and by 'XL' and 'S' (forty shillings).



Silver thirty shillings dated 1582



Same as 40/- but with value 'XXX' and 'S'.



Silver thirty shillings dated 1581



Specimen coins of each sort, of this coinage, were ordered to be given to the Clerk of Registers, Clerk of Privy Council, Lyon Herald, and various other officials. As this coin pre-dates the official issue, it must be assumed that this was struck as such a specimen or an initial trial strike that entered circulation.



Silver twenty shillings dated 1582



Same as 40/- but with value 'XX' and 'S'.



Silver ten shillings dated 1582



Same as 40/- but with value 'X' and 'S'.

[Deeman]

James VI fifth coinage 1583-90

Coinage introduced:
Gold – lion 1584-6, 88, two-thirds lion 1584/5, third-lion 1584
Gold – thistle noble 1588-90 (value equivalent to 11 merks)
Billon (25% silver) – groat and half-groat 1583-88
Billon (4% silver) – twopenny plack 1588/89
Billon (4% silver) – twopenny plack (lion) and penny plack (half-lion) 1589/90

A new gold coinage was approved in 1584 known as the lion noble (75/-) and its fractions called lion crowns (50/- and 25/-). Revalued in 1588 to £4, £2/13/4d and £1/6/8d respectively. This issue was followed by the striking of a thistle noble (£7/6/8d) in 1588.

The first alloyed coinage of James VI was introduced in 1583 in the form of groats (8d) and half-groats (4d) with the Arms of Scotland on the obverse. These coins were last struck in 1588.

Concurrent with the striking of the new base coinage, it was ordered that all old billon money coined in the reign of Mary was to be brought to the mint where it would be exchanged, shilling for shilling, for the new alloyed money. The intrinsic value of the old billon money was by then greater than the currency value, so little was brought in, since it was more profitable to melt it down. Eventually a proclamation was made forbidding the use of the old billon coinage within Edinburgh and East Lothian (constabulary of Haddington), though allowing them to be current in more remote districts in the interim. Minting of the new base money ceased when it was thought that too much had been issued.

On account of the scarcity of small money, a twopence plack (hardhead) with the Arms of Scotland on the reverse was authorised in 1588. Since these twopenny placks were about the same size and weight of the 8d groats, it was found that some people were cheating the ignorant by giving placks for groats. To counter this the reverse design was changed in 1589 to make the revised placks (known as lions) easily distinguishable from the groats. The shield was omitted, and two pellets were placed behind the lion. This 1589 issue was accompanied by a penny plack (half-lion).




Gold lion noble (75/-) dated 1584



Obverse: quatrefoil mintmark with central pellet, POST·5·&·100·PROA'·INVICTA·MANENT·HEC· (After one hundred and five ancestors, this remains unconquered), crowned lion sejant facing with sword and sceptre.
Reverse: quatrefoil mintmark with central pellet, DEVS·IVDICIVM·TVVM·REGI·DA·1584 (O Lord give thy judgment to the king.), four crowned ciphers of IR placed crosswise, with an S in the centre.



Two-thirds and third lions

The two-thirds lion obverse inscription is slightly modified to POST·5·&·100·PROA·INVICTA·MANET·HEC· and has an annulet under the mintmark on the reverse.

The third-lion is the same as the lion but without the apostrophe (like the two-thirds lion) after PROA.



Gold thistle noble (£7/6/8d) 1588-90



Obverse: quatrefoil mintmark, ·IACOBVS·6·DEI·GRATIA·REX·SCOTORVM· (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), ship sailing left bearing crowned shield of Scottish Arms, thistle on hull, bow flag with 'I' for James and stern flag with '6'.
Reverse: quatrefoil mintmark, ·FLORENT·SCEPT'·PIIS·REGNA·HIS·IOVA·DAT NVMERATQ: (Sceptres flourish with the pious; Jehovah gives them kingdoms and numbers them), thistle over crossed sceptres, crown at each end; in each quarter, crowned lion rampant left; all within angled quadrilobe; thistles in external voids.



Billon groat (8d) 1583-88



Obverse: IACOBVS·6·D·G·R·SCOTOR' (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), crowned shield of Scottish Arms.
Reverse: OPPIDVM·EDINBURGI (Town of Edinburgh), crowned thistle.



Billon groat (8d) 1583-88



Obverse: IACOB'·6·D·G·R·SCO' (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), crowned shield of Scottish Arms.
Reverse: OPPID'·EDINB' (Town of Edinburgh), crowned thistle.



Billon half-groat (4d) 1583-88



Obverse: IACOB·6·D·G·R·SCO (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), crowned shield of Scottish Arms.
Reverse: OPPID'·EDINB'· (Town of Edinburgh), crowned thistle.



Billon plack (2d) 1588/89



Obverse: quatrefoil mintmark, IACOB 6 D G R SCOTO (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), crowned 'IR'.
Reverse: VINCIT·VERITAS (Truth conquers), crowned shield of Scottish Arms.



Billon plack (2d) 1589/90



Obverse: quatrefoil mintmark, ·IACOB·6·D·G·R·SCOTO· (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), crowned 'IR'.
Reverse: quatrefoil mintmark, ·VINCIT·VERITAS· (Truth conquers), crowned lion rampant with two pellets behind lion.



Billon penny plack 1589/90



Obverse: quatrefoil mintmark, ·IACOB·6·D·G·R·SCOTO· (James VI, king of Scots), crowned 'IR'.
Reverse: quatrefoil mintmark, ·VINCIT·VERITAS· (Truth conquers), crowned lion rampant (no pellets).

[Deeman]

James VI sixth coinage 1591-94

Coinage introduced:
Gold – £4 hat piece 1591-93
Silver – balance half-merk 1591-94
Silver – balance quarter-merk 1591

The ostensible occasion of the £4 hat piece, and of the companion silver coinage, as stated in the Act of 6 Aug 1591, was to remedy the confusion and inconvenience sustained throughout the kingdom through the diversity of money issued. With the exception of the thistle nobles, all the gold and silver money in circulation was directed to be called in for re-coining.

The new gold coinage was fixed at 22 carats (0.917) fineness and the new silver coinage at 10½ denier (0.875) fineness. This standard corresponded with quality employed in England.

The issue of this new money was not attended with any rise in price, as in the case of the previous coinages. Indeed, a slight reduction in value may be said to have taken place. Three years were allowed to reduce the whole coinage of the country to the new standards.



Gold £4 hat piece dated 1592



Obverse: cinquefoil mintmark, ·IACOBVS·6·D·G·R·SCOTORVM· (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), bust facing right wearing tall hat (copotain?), thistle behind.
Reverse: cinquefoil mintmark, ·TE·SOLVM·VEREOR·1592· (Thee alone do I fear), crowned lion seated holding sceptre piercing clouds above, the Tetragrammaton יהוה within.
The Tetragrammaton is the Hebrew name of God transliterated in four letters as YHWH or JHVH and articulated as Yahweh or Jehovah.



Gold £4 hat piece dated 1593



Different die.



Silver half-merk dated 1591



Obverse: cinquefoil mintmark, ·IACOBVS·6·D·G·R·SCOTORVM·1591· (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), crowned shield of Scottish Arms flanked by thistle head.
Reverse: cinquefoil mintmark, ·HIS·DIFFERT·REGE·TYRANNVS· (In these a tyrant differs from a king), balance scales with upright sword behind.



Silver quarter-merk dated 1591



As half-merk without thistle heads on obverse.

[Deeman]

James VI seventh coinage 1593-1601

During this period in 1597, James wrote his manual Basilikon Doron (Greek phrase meaning 'The King's Gift') to reinforce the idea that kings were appointed by God and ruled in his name. He explored this idea in more detail in The True Law of Free Monarchies (1598). He rejected the idea that Pope Clement VIII should have any power over his government. James claimed that "kings are justly called gods, for that they exercise a manner or resemblance of divine power upon earth." This resulted in the downfall of Charles I who had inherited the autocratic views of his father.

Coinage introduced:
Gold – £5 rider 1593-95, 98, 99, 1601
Gold – 50/- half-rider 1593, 94, 99, 1601
Silver – 10/- 1593, 94, 98, 99
Silver – 5/- 1593-95, 98, 99
Silver – 30d 1594, 95, 98, 99, 1601
Silver – 12d 1594-96
Billon (4% silver) – 4d plack 1594
Copper – twopence and penny placks 1597

A new silver coinage was ordered in Jan 1593 for silver coinage of reduced fineness (10 denier). This represented a change to the previous silver currency issue. The sole reason of ordering a new coinage was the profit to be derived. Irrespective of the inconvenience entailed upon the community by unduly raising the price of the money beyond its real value, with the consequent raising in still greater proportion of the prices of all commodities, the result of this is the unnecessary waste of the good old money in the course of recoinage.

The recall of existing coinage continued, except for the twopenny and penny placks, and in Jan 1594 more stringent terms than before were ordered in that the former coinages were no longer to be received. In July 1594, the use of the old money was prohibited under heavy penalties with confiscation of the money tendered.

The new gold rider coinage was issued at 22 carats fine as the previous issue. In 1598, the rider and half-rider were revalued at £5/6/8d and £2/13/4d respectively.

The billon plack, known as the saltire plack, struck in 1594 was the last billon issue for base coinage. The amount coined was limited, so these fourpenny pieces are very rare. Base currency, henceforth, would be struck in copper.

The issue of the copper placks (turners) of 1597 exhibited a great improvement on the base money hitherto made in Scotland. The designs of the coin are closely based on those of the French copper double tournois coin of Louis XIII. The name 'turner' is derived from tournois.



Gold rider dated 1593



Early strike.
Obverse: quatrefoil mintmark, ·IACOBVS·6·D·G·R·SCOTORVM· (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), armoured figure of James riding right on caparisoned horse, holding sword in right hand and reins in left, ·1593· in exergue. The two hind legs of the horse are so disposed as to appear as one leg only. The lion on the caparison is within a single tressure.
Reverse: quatrefoil mintmark, ·SPERO·MELIORA· (I hope for better things), crowned shield of Scottish Arms.



Gold rider dated 1593



Die change.
Both hind legs well presented. The lion on the caparison is within a double tressure.



Gold half-rider dated 1593



The half-rider is in all respects similar to the rider struck on new die (22mm dia v 28mm).



Silver 10 shillings dated 1594



Obverse: quatrefoil mintmark, ·IACOBVS·6·D·G·R·SCOTORVM· (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), armoured bust facing right.
Reverse: quatrefoil mintmark, ·NEMO·ME·IMPVNE·LACESSET·1594· (No one shall hurt me with impunity), triple headed thistle with crown above.



Silver 5 shillings dated 1595



As 10 shillings.



Silver 30 pence 1594-99



As 10 shillings. Date incomplete 159?.



Silver 12 pence 1594-96



As 10 shillings but with pellet behind bust.



Billon fourpence saltire plack 1594



Obverse: quatrefoil mintmark, ·IACOBVS·6·D·G·R·SCO'· (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), two sceptres forming a saltire surmounted by a thistle.
Reverse: ·OPPID'·EDINB'· (Town of Edinburgh), lozenge with a thistle head on each point.



Copper twopence plack (turner) 1597



Obverse: ·IACOBVS·6·D·G·R·SCOTORVM· (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), bust facing right.
Reverse: annulet mintmark, ·OPPIDVM·EDINBVRGI· (Town of Edinburgh), three thistle heads, central pellet.



Copper penny plack (half-turner) 1597



As twopence plack but with pellet behind bust.

[Deeman]

James VI eighth coinage 1601-04

Coinage introduced:
Gold – £6 sword & sceptre 1601-03
Gold – £3 half sword & sceptre 1601/2, 04
Silver – 13/4d thistle merk 1601-04
Silver – 6/8d half thistle merk 1601-04
Silver – 3/4d quarter thistle merk 1601-04
Silver – 1/8d eighth thistle merk 1601/2



Gold sword & sceptre dated 1602



Obverse: quatrefoil mintmark, ·IACOBVS·6·D·G·R·SCOTORVM· (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), crowned shield of Scottish Arms.
Reverse: quatrefoil mintmark, ·SALVS·POPVLI·SVPREMA·LEX· (The safety of the people is the supreme law), crossed sword and sceptre flanked by thistle head, crown above, date below.



Gold half sword & sceptre dated 1601



Same as sword & sceptre.



Gold half sword & sceptre dated 1604



As 1601 piece but no pellets flanking date.



Silver thistle merk dated 1602



Obverse: IACOBVS·6·D·G·R·SCOTORVM (James VI, by the grace of God, king of Scots), crowned shield of Scottish Arms.
Reverse: REGEM·lOVA·PROTEGIT·1601 (God protects the king), crowned thistle.



Silver half thistle merk dated 1601



Same as thistle merk.



Silver quarter thistle merk dated 1602



Same as thistle merk.



Silver eighth thistle merk dated 1602



Same as thistle merk.

[Deeman]

James VI (James I of England & Ireland) post accession 1603-25

The death of Elizabeth I without an heir in 1603 brought the Tudor dynasty to an end. Elizabeth I's cousin, James VI of Scotland, acceded to the throne, becoming James I of England, the first Stuart king. This caused renewed conflict between Catholics and Protestants, culminating in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 when Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up Parliament and the king. It was a time of great religious ferment and an unresolved conflict between the powers of the king and Parliament that was a hangover from the reign of Elizabeth.

The political ramifications of dynastic change and the union of the crowns would manifest on his coinage. James was the first monarch to style himself the king of Great Britain – a title he adopted in 1604 – which suggested the unification of the kingdoms a full century before the formal Acts of Union were passed in the English and Scottish parliaments. Tellingly, James 'rebranded' the Sovereign as the Unite, thereby consolidating his position and displaying his intent.

James politicised the currency across the board, using coinage as a means to hammer home the fact that he ruled a newly United Kingdom. His overt use of coinage in this regard is illustrated by the Latin inscriptions that feature on his coins, which translate as 'James by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland' and 'I will make them one nation', with the latter taken from the Bible.

The change to the king's title necessitated a new royal Coat of Arms to accommodate Scotland. The lions of England were arranged with the lilies of France (dating from the claim to the French throne made by Edward III in 1340), quarterly, in the first and fourth quarters, the lion of Scotland in the second quarter and the harp of Ireland in the third. The Scottish version differs in giving the Scottish elements precedence. First and fourth quarters have the lion rampant, the lions of England and the lilies of France, quarterly, occupy the second quarter and the harp of Ireland in the third.

[Deeman]

James VI (James I of England & Ireland) ninth coinage 1603-04

On the 24 Mar 1603, James VI succeeded to the throne of England, and the coinage of Scotland, as an independent kingdom, ceased. James' frequent changes in the qualities and weights of the coinage witnessed before his accession to the English throne abated and his coinage now showed greater uniformity as the types, qualities, and weights became the same as in the English coinage.

By the proclamation of 8 Apr 1603, a currency union was ordered with Scottish coinage to be struck to English standards, with an exchange rate of £12 Scots to £1 sterling. This rate was a result of continued debasement that plagued Scotland; nearly every time a royal ordinance commanded Scotland's citizens to turn in their coins for new, they were struck to a lower standard. During James II's reign (1452-88) Scottish currency was calculated to be worth a quarter of sterling equivalent, and continued the downwards spiral to a twelfth in little over a century later. As a result, Scotland was ordered to use the same gold and silver coinage as England but was allowed to keep their own lower denomination copper coins. With the rate fixed, transactions across the border were much easier than they had been in the past.

It was directed that the new money of James for Scotland should be distinguished from that for England by a special mark, a thistle head, to be placed before the inscriptions, save for the sixpences Scottish, or halfpennies English, on which there were no inscriptions. Scottish struck money of James to be further distinguished from that struck for England by the style of crown. The English crown is a cross with a lis at each side whilst, on the Scottish crown, the lis in the centre with a cross at each side. In addition, 'ET' on the obverse inscription is replaced by an ampersand on Scottish struck coins.

The thistle mint mark was employed on English money early in James' reign, but was superseded by the lis in May 1604, about thirteen months prior to the issue of corresponding Scottish money. The first gold coinage of James' accession was a sovereign which, in effect, had existed since the beginning of the Tudor dynasty under Henry VII. Even though it had thistle mintmarks, it was struck for England only.

Coinage issues:
Silver – 12/- (1/- sterling)
Silver – 6/- (6d sterling)
Silver – 2/- (half-groat, 2d sterling)
Silver – 1/- (1d sterling)

These coins have thistle or lis mintmarks and English crowns, but have Roman numerals to indicate Scottish shillings or English pence. Even though they were minted in London, they are considered as forerunners of Scottish money under the currency union prior to commencement of striking at the Edinburgh mint.



Silver 12 shillings 1603-04



Roman numeral XII for Scottish shillings or English pence.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·IACOBVS·D'·G'·ANG'·SCO'·FRA'·ET·HIB'·REX· (James, by the grace of God, king of England, Scotland, France and Ireland), crowned bust facing right with XII behind bust (English crown, cross between fleur-de-lis).
Reverse: thistle mintmark, ·EXVRGAT·DEVS·DESSIPENTVR·INIMICI· (Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered), shield of English Arms.



Silver 12 shillings 1603-04



As above, but with obverse and reverse lis mintmarks. Bust portlier.



Silver 6 shillings dated 1603



Roman numeral VI for Scottish shillings or English pence.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·IACOBVS·D'·G'·ANG'·SCO'·FRA'·ET·HIB'·REX· (James, by the grace of God, king of England, Scotland, France and Ireland), crowned bust facing right with VI behind bust (English crown, cross between fleur-de-lis).
Reverse: thistle mintmark, ·EXVRGAT·DEVS·DESSIPENTVR·INIMICI· (Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered), shield of English Arms with 1603 above.



Silver 6 shillings dated 1604



As 1603 piece, but with obverse and reverse lis mintmarks. Bust portlier.



Silver 2 shillings 1603-04



Roman numeral II for Scottish shillings or English pence.
Obverse: ·I'·D'·G'·ROSA·SINE·SPINA· (James, by the grace of God; A rose without a thorn), crowned bust facing right with II behind bust (English crown, cross between fleur-de-lis).
Reverse: thistle mintmark above shield of English Arms.



Silver one shilling 1603-04



As 2 shillings piece, but Roman numeral I.

[Deeman]

James VI (James I of England & Ireland) tenth coinage 1605-25 - gold issues

In April 1604 James had requested that the Commons grant him the title King of Great Britain, France and Ireland but this was denied. In October however James ended up taking matters into his own hands and assumed the title himself by proclamation rather than by statute. On 20 Oct 1604, an alteration was made in his title, James having preferred to call himself King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, instead of England, Scotland, etc., and the necessary indentures for this alteration to appear on the coins were entered into during the following month.

In 1604, James I reduced the weight of gold coinage, and replaced sovereigns and half-sovereigns to unites and half-unites. In Scotland they were known as units. Obviously, a great bit of 'public relations' as the new monarch attempted to consolidate his position and make clear his intentions. True to his character, the first unite had probably the largest bust of any monarch depicted on the obverse (with sceptre and orb) in the then history of the English coinage.

By the proclamation of 15 Nov 1604 of the new money for Scotland, five pieces of gold money were to be struck for Scotland as for England. Until the end of 1609, all coins bearing the shield of Arms gave precedence to England. Beginning in 1610, Scottish coins used the Arms of Scotland, placing the Scottish lion in the more prominent positions.

Due to the value of all the gold coins being raised by 10% in 1612, the unit(e) was re-valued at 22/-.

In 1619, the issue of these coins ceased in England, being replaced by the laurel, but striking continued in Scotland until the end of James' reign.

Coins issued:
Unit(e) £12 (£1 sterling). From 1610, precedence given to Scotland in shield of Arms.
Double crown £6 (10/- sterling). From 1610, precedence given to Scotland in shield of Arms.
Britain crown £3 (5/- sterling). From 1610, precedence given to Scotland in shield of Arms.
Thistle crown 48/- (4/- sterling). Issued 1605-25.
Half-crown 30/- (2/6- sterling). From 1610, precedence given to Scotland in shield of Arms.



Gold unit(e) 1605-09



Edinburgh mint, characterised by thistle mintmarks, Scottish crowns and the use of '&' in obverse inscription.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·IACOBUS·D'·G'·MAG'·BRIT'·FRAN'·&·HIB'·REX· (James, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland), crowned cuirassed bust facing right, holding orb and sceptre.
Reverse: thistle mintmark, ·FACIAM·EOS·IN·GENTEM·VNAM· (I will make them one nation), crowned shield of Arms with precedence given to England, flanked by 'I R'.



Gold unit(e) 1610-25



As 1605-09 issue but with shield of Scottish Arms.



Gold double crown 1605-09



Edinburgh mint, characterised by thistle mintmarks and Scottish crowns. 'ET' not replaced by ampersand in obverse inscription.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·IA·D·G·MAG·BRIT·FRAN·ET·HIB·REX· (James, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland), crowned cuirassed bust facing right.
Reverse: thistle mintmark, ·HENRICVS ROSAS·REGNA·IACOBVS· (Henry {united} the Roses, James {united} the Kingdoms) referring to the union of the Red and White Roses, the Houses of Lancaster and York, by Henry VII, and the union of England and Scotland, under one crown, by James; crowned shield of Arms with precedence given to England, flanked by 'I R'.



Gold double crown 1610-25



As 1605-09 issue but with shield of Scottish Arms and 'IACOBVS' instead of 'IA' in obverse inscription.



Gold Britain crown 1605-09



Edinburgh mint, characterised by thistle mintmarks and Scottish crowns. 'ET' not replaced by ampersand in obverse inscription.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·IA'·D·G·MAG·BRIT·FRAN·ET·HIB·REX· (James, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland), crowned cuirassed bust facing right.
Reverse: thistle mintmark, ·HENRICVS ROSAS·REGNA·IACOBVS· (Henry {united} the Roses, James {united} the Kingdoms) referring to the union of the Red and White Roses, the Houses of Lancaster and York, by Henry VII, and the union of England and Scotland, under one crown, by James; crowned shield of Arms with precedence given to England, flanked by 'I R'.



Gold Britain crown 1610-25



As 1605-09 issue but with shield of Scottish Arms.



Gold thistle crown 1605-25



Edinburgh mint, characterised by thistle mintmarks, Scottish crowns and the use of '&' in obverse inscription. English versions have 'I R' flanking rose and thistle.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·IA'·D'·G'·MAG'·BR'·F'·&·H'·REX· (James, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland), crowned rose.
Reverse: thistle mintmark, ·TVEATVR·VNITA·DEVS· (May God preserve them in unity), crowned thistle.



Gold half-crown 1605-09



Edinburgh mint, characterised by thistle mintmarks and Scottish crowns. 'ET' not replaced by ampersand in obverse inscription.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·I'·D'·G'·ROSA·SINE·SPINA· (James, by the grace of God; A rose without a thorn), crowned bust facing right.
Reverse: thistle mintmark, ·TVEATVR·VNITA·DEVS· (May God preserve them in unity), crowned shield of Arms with precedence given to England.



Gold half-crown 1610-25



As 1605-09 issue but with shield of Scottish Arms.

[Deeman]

James VI (James I of England & Ireland) tenth coinage 1605-25 - silver issues

By the proclamation of 15 Nov 1604 Scottish coinage was to conform exactly to that of England in type, quality, and weight, and to consist of the same denominations. Until the end of 1609, all coins bearing the shield of Arms gave precedence to England. Beginning in 1610, Scottish coins used the Arms of Scotland, placing the Scottish lion in the more prominent positions.

Coins issued:
60/- (5/- sterling). From 1610, precedence given to Scotland in shield of Arms.
30/- (2/6d sterling). From 1610, precedence given to Scotland in shield of Arms.
12/- (1/- sterling). From 1610, precedence given to Scotland in shield of Arms.
6/- (6d sterling). From 1610, precedence given to Scotland in shield of Arms.
2/- (2d sterling) 1605-25.
1/- (1d sterling) 1605-25.
6d (½d sterling) 1605-25.



Silver 60 shillings 1605-09



Edinburgh mint, characterised by thistle mintmarks, thistle on caparison and the use of '&' in obverse inscription.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·IACOBVS·D'·G'·MAG'·BRIT'·FRAN'·&·HIB'·REX· (James, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland), armoured figure of James riding right on caparisoned horse holding sword upright, thistle on caparison, ground line below.
Reverse: thistle mintmark, ·QVÆ·DEVS·CONIVNXIT·NEMO·SEPARET· (What God has joined together, let no man put asunder), shield of Arms with precedence given to England.



Silver 60 shillings 1610-25



As 1605-09 issue but with shield of Scottish Arms.



Silver 30 shillings 1605-09



Details as 60 shillings 1605-09. On this image, ground line under horse on two levels.



Silver 30 shillings 1610-25



Details as 60 shillings 1610-25 issue, but without abbreviation apostrophes on obverse inscription.



Silver 12 shillings 1605-09



Roman numeral XII for Scottish shillings or English pence.
Edinburgh mint, characterised by thistle mintmarks, Scottish crown and the use of '&' in obverse inscription.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·IACOBVS·D·G·MAG·BRIT·FRAN·&·HIB·REX· (James, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland), crowned bust facing right with XII behind bust.
Reverse: thistle mintmark, ·QVÆ·DEVS·CONIVNXIT·NEMO·SEPARET· (What God has joined together, let no man put asunder), shield of Arms with precedence given to England.



Silver 12 shillings 1610-25



As 1605-09 issue but with shield of Scottish Arms.



Silver 6 shillings dated 1605



Roman numeral VI for Scottish shillings or English pence.
Edinburgh mint, characterised by thistle mintmarks and Scottish crown.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·IACOBVS·D'·G'·MAG'·BRIT'·FRAN'·ET·HIB'·REX· (James, by the grace of God, king of England, Scotland, France and Ireland), crowned bust facing right with VI behind bust.
Reverse: thistle mintmark, QVÆ·DEVS·CONIVNXIT·NEMO·SEPARET· (What God has joined together, let no man put asunder), shield of Arms with precedence given to England, 1605 above.



Silver 6 shillings dated 1617



As 1605 piece but with shield of Scottish Arms, and '&' for 'ET'.



Silver two shillings 1605-25



Edinburgh mint characterised by Scottish crown and thistle mintmarks.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·I·D·G·ROSA·SINE·SPINA· (James, by the grace of God; A rose without a thorn), crowned rose. (I, D, G can also have abbreviation apostrophes.)
Reverse: thistle mintmark, ·TVEATVR·VNITA·DEVS· (May God preserve them in unity), crowned thistle.



Silver one shilling 1605-25



Edinburgh mint characterised by thistle mintmarks.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·I'·D'·G'·ROSA·SINE·SPINA· (James, by the grace of God; A rose without a thorn), rose.
Reverse: [thistle mintmark], ·TVEATVR·VNITA·DEVS· (May God preserve them in unity), thistle.



Silver 6 pence 1605-25



No inscriptions. No mintmark was specially ordered to be placed on the sixpenny piece Scottish. With so many struck, the fleur-de-lis, the old mint mark on Scottish coins, was most likely to be entertained.
Rose on obverse, thistle on reverse with lis above.

[Deeman]

James VI (James I of England & Ireland) tenth coinage 1605-25 - copper issues

On the 1 Mar 1614, an order was issued for the striking of two penny and one penny pieces. Great inconvenience had been felt for some time past from the scarcity of small money, which resulted in foreign copper money creeping into circulation.

Coins issued:
1614 twopence (turner) and penny (half-turner).
1623 twopence and penny.



Copper twopence 1614



Obverse: ·IACOBVS·DEI·GRA·MAG·BRIT· (James, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain... – continued on reverse), three-headed thistle.
Reverse: ·FRANCIE·ET·HIBERNIE·REX· (...France and Ireland), crowned lion rampant with two pellets behind tail to indicate value.



Copper penny 1614



As 1614 twopence but with one pellet behind tail to indicate value.



Copper twopence 1623



Obverse: ·IACOBVS·D·G·MAG·BRIT (James, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain... – continued on reverse), three-headed thistle.
Reverse: ·FRAN·&·HIB·REX (...France and Ireland), crowned lion rampant with two pellets behind tail to indicate value.



Copper twopence 1623 variant



Incuse obverse.



Copper penny 1623



As 1623 twopence but with one pellet behind tail to indicate value.

[Deeman]

Charles I 1625-49

During the reign of Charles I his relationship with Parliament quickly deteriorated. Charles had inherited the autocratic views of his father, which found its expression in the "Divine Right of Kings" to rule as they saw fit. To make his situation worse, the marriage of Charles to a Catholic, the French princess Henrietta Maria, aroused great suspicion. More aggravation was caused when he became embroiled in a new and unsuccessful war with Spain and was unable to persuade Parliament to grant him the necessary funds to prolong it.

When Parliament wanted to impeach the Duke of Buckingham, Charles' favourite, after the failure of a naval expedition against Cadiz, he dissolved Parliament for a second time. When, in desperation, Charles tried to raise money by imposing forced loans it was opposed by over 70 of the gentry who refused to contribute. Charles highhanded response was to have them arrested. He had even less success with his third Parliament, which sat from March 1628 until dissolved in March 1629.

Charles then attempted to rule the country on his own for the next eleven years, making an enforced peace with Spain and also France, after an ill-fated expedition to La Rochelle in support of French Protestants. During this period, he imposed the so-called Ship Money, aimed at supporting the Royal Navy but widely opposed and a source of further unrest. In 1639 he found himself at war with his Scottish subjects over attempts to enforce Protestant reforms onto the Scottish Church. In the so-called Bishops Wars, Charles found himself out-manoeuvred and agreed to a truce, only be defeated when war broke out again the following year.

When, of necessity, Charles was forced to recall Parliament in 1640, the scene was set for confrontation, which culminated in the outbreak of the Civil War in 1642. On 22 Nov 1641 Parliament passed the Grand Remonstrance setting out all the wrongs committed by the king. When Charles tried to arrest five members of Parliament who had opposed him, they escaped and this triggered off a rebellion. One of the decisive mistakes Charles made was to immediately leave London in order to find safety with his supporters, leaving Parliament in control of London and most of the south east of England by default.

For the first three years the war was only spasmodic, interspersed with abortive attempts at a peace settlement. In the opening battle, at Edgehill during Oct 1642, the Royalists gained the advantage, and the Parliamentary army was forced to retreat towards London. This was followed by further minor victories for the Royalists but the situation quickly became confused and the refusal of hard-liners to negotiate a peace with Parliament eventually rebounded on them. The battle of Marston Moor in July 1644 brought about a devastating victory for the Parliamentary forces and the fall of York, which had been under siege. Further Parliamentary victories at Naseby and Langport in 1645 eventually led to the surrender of Charles to the Scots, who had allied themselves with Parliament.

Charles was handed over to the English and held prisoner while negotiations were conducted with Parliament about how the situation might be resolved. Then in 1648 came a second Civil War, with a series of Royalist rebellions and the invasion of a Scottish army in support of Charles after a series of intrigues. All were defeated by the strong Parliamentary forces. Angry at what was perceived as treachery, the army insisted that Charles be put on trial. Having been found guilty, Charles was executed on 30 Jan 1649.

[Deeman]

Charles I 1625-34 – first coinage

With the accession of Charles I, a new coinage was required. Aside from the change of royal name, Charles opted to retain the same design for the coinage of Scotland. Even the royal portrait remained relatively unaltered, just the beard removed. An important signal of continuity during what was an uncertain time politically.

The gold (1625-31) and silver (1625-34) issues, in comparison with the last coinage of the preceding reign, had no gold thistle crown, no gold half-crown nor any silver 6d.

Copper coins were struck in 1629 following the design and inscriptions of the James VI/I issue of 1623 with the substitution of CAROLVS for IACOBVS.

Coins issued:
Gold: unit(e) £12 (£1 sterling), double crown £6 (10/- sterling), Britain crown £3 (5/- sterling).
Silver: 60/- (5/- sterling), 30/- (2/6d sterling), 12/- (1/- sterling), 6/- (6d sterling), 2/- (2d sterling), 1/- (1d sterling).
Copper: twopence and penny (Scots).



Gold unit(e)



Edinburgh mint, characterised by thistle mintmarks, Scottish crowns and the use of '&' in obverse inscription.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·CAROLVS·D·G·MAG·BRIT·FRAN·&·HIB·REX· (Charles, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland), crowned cuirassed bust facing right, holding orb and sceptre.
Reverse: thistle mintmark, ·FACIAM·EOS·IN·GENTEM·VNAM· (I will make them one nation), crowned shield of Scottish Arms flanked by 'C R'.



Gold double crown



Edinburgh mint, characterised by thistle mintmarks, Scottish crowns and the use of '&' in obverse inscription.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·CAROLVS·D·G·MAG·BRIT·FRAN·&·HIB·REX· (Charles, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland), crowned cuirassed bust facing right.
Reverse: thistle mintmark, ·HENRICVS ROSAS·REGNA·IACOBVS· (Henry {united} the Roses, James {united} the Kingdoms) referring to the union of the Red and White Roses, the Houses of Lancaster and York, by Henry VII, and the Union of Crowns; crowned shield of Scottish Arms, flanked by 'C R'.



Gold Britain crown



Description as double crown.



Silver 60 shillings



Edinburgh mint, characterised by thistle mintmarks, thistle on caparison and the use of '&' in obverse inscription.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·CAROLVS·D·G·MAG·BRIT·FRAN·&·HIB·REX· (Charles, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland), armoured figure of Charles riding right on caparisoned horse holding sword upright, thistle on caparison, ground line below.
Reverse: thistle mintmark, ·QVÆ·DEVS·CONIVNXIT·NEMO·SEPARET· (What God has joined together, let no man put asunder), shield of Scottish Arms.



Silver 30 shillings



Description as 60 shillings, but SEPRET for SEPARET.



Silver 12 shillings 1605-09



Roman numeral XII for Scottish shillings or English pence.
Edinburgh mint, characterised by thistle mintmarks, Scottish crown and the use of '&' in obverse inscription.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·CAROLVS·D·G·MAG·BRIT·FRAN·&·HIB·REX· (Charles, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland), crowned cuirassed bust facing right with XII behind bust.
Reverse: thistle mintmark, ·QVÆ·DEVS·CONIVNXIT·NEMO·SEPARET· (What God has joined together, let no man put asunder), shield of Scottish Arms.



Silver 6 shillings dated 1631



Description as 12 shillings, but VI behind bust and dated.



Silver two shillings



Edinburgh mint characterised by thistle on reverse. England's issues have another rose with different inscription.
Obverse: thistle mintmark, ·C·D·G·ROSA·SINE·SPINA· (Charles, by the grace of God; A rose without a thorn), crowned rose.
Reverse: thistle mintmark, ·TVEATVR·VNITA·DEVS· (May God preserve them in unity), crowned thistle.



Silver one shilling



Obverse: [thistle mintmark], [·C]·D·G·ROSA·SINE·SPINA· (Charles, by the grace of God; A rose without a thorn), rose.
Reverse: [thistle mintmark], ·TVEATVR·VNITA·DEVS· (May God preserve them in unity), thistle.



Copper twopence 1629



Obverse: ·CAROLVS·D·G·MAG·BRIT (James, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain... – continued on reverse), three-headed thistle.
Reverse: ·FRAN·&·HIB·REX (...France and Ireland), crowned lion rampant with two pellets behind tail to indicate value.



Copper penny 1629



As 1629 twopence but with one pellet behind tail to indicate value.

[Deeman]

Charles I second copper coinage 1632-39?

The second issue of copper coins consisted only of very lightweight twopence pieces (known as 'Stirling' turners) which ran from 1632 to around 1639, maybe a year of two earlier. Early in 1631, a proposition was made from Scotland, favoured by the Earl of Stirling if not originating from him, that small copper coins should be struck for circulation in that kingdom being especially urged on account of the scarcity of money at that time, the great convenience of small coin for the poor and for the payment of small sums. The petition of the Scots was favourably entertained by the King and the Privy Council and Nicholas Briot of the Royal Mint was ordered to prepare dies and arrange for machinery to be sent, under the direction of the Earl of Stirling, to the Edinburgh mint.

This is the first coinage made in Scotland entirely by the mill and press, a process championed by Briot. The coins exist with many variations:
Struck with a whole variety of mintmarks, sometimes differing between obverse and reverse.
The obverse inscription should be ·CAR·D·G·SCOT·ANG·FR·ET·HIB·R, but SCO could be SCT or SCOT, FR could be FRA and HIB could be H or HI.
There are four different crown designs, some being English and some Scottish.
Some have small 'C R', some have a large 'II'. The 'II' represents two pence.
Pellets and a variety of symbols are used in the field around C II R.



Copper 'Stirling' turner



Obverse: lozenge mintmark, ·CAR·D·G·SCO·ANG·FR·ET·HIB·R (Charles, by the grace of God, king of Scotland, England, France and Ireland), 'C II R' with Scottish crown above and three lozenges below, small 'C R'.
Reverse: mintmark? NEMO·ME·IMPVNE·LACESSET (No one shall hurt me with impunity), thistle.



Copper 'Stirling' turner



Obverse: anemone mintmark, ·CAR·D·G·SCOT·ANG·FR·ET·HIB·R (Charles, by the grace of God, king of Scotland, England, France and Ireland), 'C II R' with Scottish crown above and three lozenges below, large 'II' with small pellet above.
Reverse: anemone mintmark, NEMO·ME·IMPVNE·LACESSET (No one shall hurt me with impunity), thistle.