© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
20 Shillings - Mary I 1st Period
1543 year| Gold (.958) | 2.86 g | 22 mm |
| Issuer | Scotland (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| Queen | Mary I (1542-1567) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1543 |
| Value | 20 Shillings (1) |
| Currency | Pound Scots (1136-1707) |
| Composition | Gold (.958) |
| Weight | 2.86 g |
| Diameter | 22 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#301362 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Crowned 'MR' monogram with a cinquefoil beneath it.
Script: Latin
Lettering: ECCE · ANCILLA · DOMINI
Translation: Behold the handmaid of the Lord
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the 20 Shillings - Mary I (1st Period) 1543 from Scotland is that it is one of the earliest coins to feature a portrait of a British monarch, with Mary I's image appearing on the obverse (front) side of the coin. This was a significant departure from earlier coins, which often featured generic designs or symbols, and marked a shift towards more personalized and realistic depictions of royalty on currency.
