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Scotland, James I gold Demy type II, open quartrefoils, very rare legend variety
James I of Scotland (1406-37), gold Demy of Nine Shillings, type II, upright lion within double lozenge with fleur de lis at apexes, one lis before lion paws, beaded circles and abbreviated Latin legends surrounding with fleur de lis and saltire stops, initial mark crown xIxACOBVS+ DE+I GRACIA+ REX SCx, rev. saltire cross, fleur de lis either side, fleured tressure of six arcs surrounding, large quatrefoils around, beaded circles and legends surrounding, initial mark cross with fleur de lis and pellet stops, +SALVVm FAC xPxOPVLVm+ TVVm DnE+, weight 3.22g (Burns 4a, fig 434; S.5190). Toned with some surface marks both sides, some striations on edge and rim, good very fine and one of the rarer Burns legend varieties with the x either side of P in POULUM where he records one example in the S.S.A. collection.
The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on the obverse "James, by the Grace of God, King of Scotland" and on the reverse "O Lord, save Thy people" a Psalm from the Bible. A great deal of the gold in the coinage of Scotland at this period was mined locally principally from Crawford Moor, when nuggets from 2 grams to 30 ounces were discovered.
Provenance:
Ex Baldwin of St James, Auction 9, 21st September 2017, lot 1559.
Ex Dr Rolf Baumhauer, British gold collection part 3, Sincona, Auction 79, 24th October 2022, lot 1442.