A Magnificent & Outstanding JAMES VI of Scotland.
“THIRTY SHILLINGS”
of
1583.

A Half-Length figure, left, of the young James in Armour and Holding Sword in Right Hand.

This early Crown Sized Scots type coin is rarely seen at all and on the odd occasion one does show up it is normally found in extremely rough condition.


This wonderful example is one of the very best examples of this greatly attractive & sought after type that you’ll ever see. We’ve never had a better one in almost half a century.

If you are a serious collector of 16th century hammered silver, and with particular interest in the coins of Scotland, this is a seriously “must have” piece.

The coin displays a superb battleship grey tone over practically as struck features on a tip top quality planchette. Only the slightest cabinet friction to the very highest points of the design removes this from a true “MS” uncirculated grade. A few discolouration patches on the reverse, probably from contact with copper coins in a long ago hoard.

We’ve just seen a real “old dog” example of this type “optimistically” graded as AU50 by NGC.
(The true grade of that particular coin was “barely VF,” which yet again points out that the American grading services know virtually zero about grading British coins...so save your money!)

As a long term dealer in this and all early British coins I have no issue at all in giving a description of this specimen as EF+ . It’s a totally lovely coin and clearly one of the finest extant examples.

Strictly EF+ & Better for Issue.

£4550 and excessively rare