James I AD 1603-1625 Gold Unite 2nd Issue

James I AD 1603-1625 Gold Unite

2nd Issue

Half length crowned bust / Crowned shield

mm. lis

S2618; 37mm, 9.93g

An exceptional example with much detail and little wear.

The son of Mary Queen of Scots, James acceded the Scottish throne as James VI when only 1 year old upon his mother’s abdication in AD 1567.  He married Anne of Denmark and upon the death of the childless Elizabeth succeeded the English throne in AD 1603 being the nearest heir. Following the Gunpowder plot of AD 1605 James brought in severe sanctions against Catholics and also introduced the King James Bible. Scotland remained a separate kingdom and retained its own currency James established a currency of similar weight and fineness in both realms although a 12:1 ratio between Scottish and English denominations was maintained.

The reign saw a number of reforms in the English coinage most notably the introduction of the gold Unite, itself replaced in AD 1619 by the Laurel. Copper coins were also issued for the first time when a licence was issued to Lord Harrington to issue farthings.