A Collection of Scottish Coins, the Property of a Gentleman

James I (1406-1437), First Fleur-de-lis issue, Groat, Edinburgh, type III, mm. cross pattée, tressure of eight arcs, lis on neck, crosses on each shoulder, saltire to left of bust, i to right and on sceptre handle. reads iacobvs and tracia, rev. lis with pellet in first quarter, lis with saltire in third, three pellets with small central pellet in second and fourth quarters, quarter, centre of cross unclear, lis stops both sides, 2.37g/5h (SCBI 35, –; SCBI 72, 479; B 22, fig. 460, same obv. die; S 5195). Striking split at 2 o’clock and surfaces lightly scratched, otherwise good fine, an extremely rare variety £240-£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

Dr J. Davidson Collection, Part II, DNW Auction 60, 9-10 December 2003, lot 398; DNW Auction 78, 19 June 2008, lot 526

Three crown punches were in use throughout the issue of type III (Burns style III). Crown 1 was used for most of the issue. Crown 2 was used on only one die with the sceptre to the king’s left and has not been traced on any other die. Crown 3 occurs on four dies produced at the end of the issue (including this one). Although infrequently used the central lis of this crown quickly broke, as can be seen on this coin. This crown could have been composite. The vendor has not traced any other example of this obverse die except for the Burns coin.