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Scottish Coins ~ James V (1513 - 1542)
James V would have the distinction of being the first of three Scottish monarchs in succession who would inherit the throne during the time they were still infants. His father, James IV was killed at the Battle of Flodden, after coming to the aid of the Scottish allies, the French, who were at war with the English. The earliest part of his reign was a regency under his mother, Margaret Tudor, but as she was the sister of Henry VIII of England, she not popular. James attained majority at the age of 16, and soon entered into a five year peace treaty with Henry VIII. James V married Madeleine, the daughter of the King of France in 1537, but she died seven months after coming to Scotland. Thereafter he married Mary of Guise in June of 1538, they had two sons who died in infancy in 1541, and whose deaths were followed by their Grandmother, Margaret Tudor. With her death, conflict with Henry VIII became inevitable, and the Scots were defeated at the Battle of Solway Moss in 1542. James V had then entered into a period of depression that would only end with his death at the comparatively young age of 30. He left the throne to Mary, aged only seven days. Denominations used during this reign:GoldFirst CoinageUnicorn or 18/- or 216d, minted from ca. 1518-1526 there are three varieties of this, the first is with no numeral, the second has a mullet on the star, the third has no countermark. The first variety is extremely rare, the second and third are very rare.Half rider or 9/- or 108d, similar to the Unicorn, and extremely rare.Eagle Crown or 140d, there are no known examples of this coin which was reportedly struck bearing an image of a dove with a halo.Second CoinageCrown or 20/- or 240d, there are four varieties of this, the first with a small open crown on the shield, the second with a rounded base shield, a third with pellet stops in the legend, and a unique fourth example with a very small crown above the shield.Third CoinageDucat or "Bonnet Piece" or 40/- or 480d, This coin is remarkable for having been the earliest dated coin in the British Isles with the 1539 and 1540 dates and also for the remarkable realistic renaissance portrait of James V. These pieces are extremely rare.Two Thirds Ducat or 26/8 or 320d, similar and extremely rare.One Thirds Ducat or 13/4 or 160d, similar and extremely rare.SilverSecond Coinage
Groat or 1/6 or 18d, there are four varieties, the first with a double arched crown on the monarch, the second with a single arched crown, the third with and open mantle and a trefoil of pellets, and a fourth variety with a pointed nose. These pieces are nice attractive coins, and are very collectible.This particular groat is the third variety, S-5378 and bears an attractive renaissance era portrait of the monarch. One third groat or 6d, varieties similar to the groat.BillonFirst CoinagePlack or 4d, there are two varieties, similar to James IV groat, but without numeral designation for the monarch. There is a unique variety withVilla de Edinburg on the reverse. These are one of the most common coins available from this reign.Second Coinage
The coin pictured above is a billion bawbee or Scottish sixpence, of .250 fineness which was minted from 1538-1542 and would soon become one of the most common coins in circulation in Scotland during that time. The face of the coin has a thistle, and the reverse a St. Andrews Cross within a crown and flanked by two fleur de lis. This particular coin is from the second known variety, S-5384 with the annulet over the I to the left of the thistle. Bawbee or 6d, there are four varieties, the first without an annulet over the I and 5 surrounding the thistle, the second has an annulet over the I, the third has an annulet over the numeral 5, the fourth has annulets over both the I and 5.Half Bawbee or 3d, similar to the Bawbee, this piece has three varieties, the first without a lis on the reverse, the second with an annulet over the I, and the third with an annulet over the numeral 5.Quarter Bawbee or 1 1/2d, this is a unique coin.Collecting coins from this reignThe most attractive coins from this reign are the gold Unicorns, but they are very rare, the portrait Groats are also attractive, but recently are becoming quite pricey. The most available coins from this reign are the First Coinage Placks, and the Third Coinage Bawbees, they are reasonably priced and easily found. |
Page last updated on 5th August 2011 Года All pages and images copyright © David Parrish 1999 - 2011 Года
