A Collection of Scottish Coins, the Property of a Gentleman (Part I)

James VI (1567-1625), After Accession, Tenth coinage, Twelve Shillings, mm. thistle-head, reads fran & hib rex, rev. Scottish lion in first and fourth quarters, 5.72g/6h (SCBI 35, 1376; SCBI 71, 1419ff; B 15, fig. 985; S 5506). Some obverse surface corrosion, good fine, reverse better, toned, rare £200-£300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Scottish Coins, the Property of a Gentleman.

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Collection

bt Spink February 2003

The rarity of these pieces may be surprising given the length of time they were struck. Either only very small quantities were made or most of the specimens were illegally exported and replaced by a variety of foreign issues, often of reduced fineness. The compostion of hoards buried later in the century tend to confirm this latter theory. The majority of provenanced examples come from Engluish Civil war hoards. It is speculated that they were carried to England by Scottish troops taking part in the war.