James VI (1567-1625), Before Accession, Sixth coinage, Balance Half-Merk, 1591, mm. cinquefoil, crowned shield between thistle-heads, rev. sword and balance, disjointed ns in legend, 4.52g/9h (SCBI 35, 1247-8; SCBI 58, 1492ff; B 2, fig. 937; S 5491). Neatly struck on a full flan, very fine or better, toned, an attractive specimen £500-£700

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

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Bt Spink September 1987

This issue from the early 1590s is in remarkable contrast to the coinage of neighbouring England. When a coinage was not of international commercial importance, there could be less emphasis on continuity and more on experimentation. Unlike Elizabeth I, the king of Scots had scope to introduce an element of propaganda to his coinage as illustrated in this unusual religious and political statement, ‘His differt rege tyrannus’ - ‘In these things a king differs from a tyrant’, emphasising the justness of his rule - the scales replacing the sword to administer law and not inspire fear. Baptised a Catholic but raised and educated mainly by Protestant tutors, James was well aware of the religious divisions in 16th century society and walked a fine line between the two factions within his kingdom. He is also making a political point - contrasting the relative enlightenment and security of Scotland with the despotism of Catholic Spain and the contemporary turmoil in France and the Low Countries.