© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
½ Merk - James VI 2nd Coinage
| Silver (.6666) | 6.79 g | 32 mm |
| Issuer | Scotland (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| King | James VI (1567-1625) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1572-1580 |
| Value | ½ Merk (⅓) |
| Currency | Pound Scots (1136-1707) |
| Composition | Silver (.6666) |
| Weight | 6.79 g |
| Diameter | 32 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-08 |
| Numista | N#55275 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 94% |
Reverse
Ornate cross with a star in the centre, crowns and thistles in alternate angles of the cross.
Script: Latin
Lettering: · SALVVM · FAC · POPVLVM · TVVM ·DNE · 1580 ·
Translation: O Lord, save Thy people
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the ½ Merk coin from James VI's 2nd Coinage (1572-1580) is that it was the first coin to feature the Scottish thistle, which has since become a symbol of Scotland and appears on many Scottish coins.
