Sovereign: James I (obverse); Crowned Shield (Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.188)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1603–4
The accession of James I to the throne of England brought about the union of the thrones of England and Scotland. This was duly recorded on the coinage, the royal arms on this rare piece now consisting of the arms of England (twice), Scotland, and Ireland.
The English arms still contain the French lilies, though the last French possession, Calais, had been lost in the reign of Philip and Mary, 1544–58. On the reverse, SCO for Scotland was added to the royal title. The final unification of the two kingdoms did not take place until the 1706 Act of Union. James was in fact king of two separate countries and in Scotland, which had its own separate coinage till the act, where he is referred to as James VI.
At first the coins were the same weight and fineness as those of Elizabeth I, but later a proclamation, due to "trade necessities," reduced the value by ten percent. In 1611, however, the value was restored. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1969.188: Sovereign: James I (obverse); Crowned Shield (reverse), 1603–4. England, James I, 1603-1625. Gold; diameter: 3.8 cm (1 1/2 in.). Inscribed: IACOBVS. D; G; ANG; SCO; FRAN; ET.
HIB; REX. (King of England Scotland France and Ireland); EXVRGAT. DEVS. DISSIPENTVR. INIMICI. (Let God arise and His enemies be scattered.). Details are those of this museum object; how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 3
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The design of the reverse of this coin indicates it is from the beginning of the rule of James I in 1603.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 3.8 cm (1 1/2 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 3.8 cm (1 1/2 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Design
- Inscriptions
- IACOBVS. D; G; ANG; SCO; FRAN; ET. HIB; REX. (King of England Scotland France and Ireland); EXVRGAT. DEVS. DISSIPENTVR. INIMICI. (Let God arise and His enemies be scattered.)
Identification
- Date recorded
- 1603–4
- Culture period
- England, James I, 1603-1625
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1969.188
- Published references
- Cleveland Museum of Art, and Emery May Norweb. English Gold Coins, Ancient to Modern Times, On Loan to the Cleveland Museum of Art from the Norweb Collection. [Catalog. 1968.] p. 47
- Museum classification
- Coins
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: this record describes a single museum object; confirm the wider coin type and standard catalogue references against numismatic literature.