Scotland, James II gold Demy, type IVa, error legend and reverse orientation AU58

James II of Scotland (1437-60), gold Demy of Nine Shillings, first coinage (1437-51), type IVa, upright lion within double lozenge with fleur de lis at apexes and halfway between, beaded circles and abbreviated Latin legends surrounding with annulets as colon stops, initial mark crown, King's name misspelt, IACBVS: DEI: GRACIA: REX: SC, rev. central design about 70 degrees out of orientation with surrounding legend, pellet at centre of saltire cross, fleur de lis either side, fleured double tressure of six arcs surrounding, large quatrefoils with large pellet centres around connected by wire line circle, beaded circles and legends surrounding, initial mark crown with annulets as colon stops, +SALVm FAC POPVLVm TVVm: DnI:+, weight 3.27g (Burns 2, fig 498; cf.SCBI Stewartby 72:566; S.5217). Toned with some traces of red wax in reverse legend, has been slabbed and graded by NGC as AU58.

NGC 8537560-003 - this coin is currently the third finest graded of this type of Demy at NGC. PCGS do not appear to have graded any Demys of this King at present.

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 and the fineness was 22 carat for this coinage.

This is an unusual coin in that the King's name misses out the letter O at centre and the word SALVVM on the reverse only has one V. The orientation of the reverse design in relation to the legend surrounding being out of sync is not commented upon by Burns but is demonstrated with the example illustrated in his plate XXXIX.

James II of Scotland ascended the Scottish throne aged just 6 after his Father was assassinated on 20^th February 1437 and he was crowned at Holyrood Abbey. He had been born the second twin with his elder brother Alex, but Alex did not survive infancy. James was known to have a temper and was known as "Fiery Face" as he had a birthmark on his face which is actually shown in a contemporary woodcut image that survives of him showing the mark. Earls looked after his government until he came of age, and James married 15 year old Mary of Guelders when he was 18 on 3^rd July 1549. They had seven children together, six of whom survived to adulthood. James was keen to look after the interests of Scotland and promoted artillery importing cannon from Flanders so he could continue his campaign for independence from England. It was whilst besieging Roxburgh Castle which was still held by the English that he met his untimely end. One of the cannon he was standing next to malfunctioned and exploded killing James on 3^rd August 1460. The Scottish forces continued with the siege and won possession of the castle, a bitter sweet victory. His son James III succeeded him.

Provenance:

Ex Firth of Clyde Collection, Stacks, 22^nd April 2009, lot 2227.

Ex Stacks Bowers, auction 161, Chicago ANA sale, 16^th August 2011, lot 21388.