Scotland, Mary Queen of Scots, 1557, Testoon, before marriage, type IIIa

Scotland, Mary Queen of Scots (1542-67), silver Testoon, 1557, first period before marriage (1542-58), Type IIIa, mintmark cross potent on obverse, crown on reverse, small high arched crown over Scottish shield, M - R either side with annulets below, legend reads MARIA DEI G SCOTOR REGINA 1557, rev. large cross potent with crosses in each angle, reads IN VIRTVTE TVA LIBERA ME 1557, weight 6.14g (SCBI 35 [Scottish], 1010-13; SCBI 58 [Edinburgh], 332ff; SCBI 71 [Stewartby], 575-77; Burns 16 fig. 791; S.5404). Deep even tone with a hint of porosity, legends legible both sides with minimal areas of softness, crowned lion and reverse cross potent all well struck up, bold very fine, otherwise with much eye appeal.

The Latin legends translate as on the obverse " Mary, by the grace of God, Queen of Scotland" and on the reverse as "In Thy strength deliver me."

Mary Queen of Scots having come Queen when only 6 days old, was mostly brought up in France subsequently leading to her first marriage age 16 to the even younger Francis II aged 15 the Dauphin of France. He became King of France and King Consort to Scotland upon his Father Henri II's death on 21^st September 1559 and was crowned at Reims. However, health-wise not of a good constitution he collapsed on the 16^th November 1560, passing away on the 5^th December. Mary returned to Scotland on the 19^th August 1561, Regents having ruled in her place in childhood.