Historical information

This coin was the first shilling minted during the reign of King James I of England (James VI of Scotland), being produced from 1603 to1604. Born on the 19 June 1566, James became King James VI of Scotland at a little over twelve months of age, on the abdication of his mother Mary Queen of Scots. He succeeded to the English Throne as James I on the death of the childless Queen Elizabeth I on 24 March 1603. He was crowned on 25 July 1603, ruling over a united England, Scotland and Wales for 22 years until his death in 1625 at the age of 58.

Physical description

Small, hammered silver coin with a portrait of a male head facing to the right and a value of XII (12) stamped to the left of the portrait. There is an inscription stamped around the perimeter of the coin, which also shows a Thistle mintmark. The reverse side of the coin shows a shield (centred) divided into four sections. A hole has been pierced through the top of the coin between the Thistle mintmark and the King's Crown.

Inscriptions & markings

"EXVRGAT DEVS DISSIPENTVR INIMICI"
"IACOBVS DG ANG SCO FRA ET HIB REX"