Reproduction James I Gold Crown

Obverse: Bust of crowned James I facing right. Text around LACOBVS DG MAG BRIT FRAN & HIB REX (James by the grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland).

Reverse: Crowned, square-topped shield with I R to left and right of crown. The shield has the English arms in the first and fourth quarters, the rampant lion of Scotland in the second quarter and the harp of Ireland in the third. Text around HENRICVS ROSAS REGNA LACOBVS 'Henry (united) the roses, James the kingdoms (England and Scotland, James VI & I)'.

History: With the accession of James VI of Scotland to the English throne, the royal titles and coat of arms were altered on the coinage. The coat of arms depicted the Scottish rampant lion and the Irish harp in the second and third quarters.

King James’ English coins were also separated into three coinage periods and within this there are several busts, inscriptions and mintmarks. The original of this gold crown coin was minted during the Second coinage (1604-19) and depicts the Fifth bust and Saltire mintmark.

Date: Mintmark saltire cross, second coinage, fifth bust. 1619

Diameter: 2.1cm