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Home Explore the World of MoneyVirtual Museum British Gold Coins

James I, 1603-1625

James I

When Elizabeth died without heirs in 1603, James VI of Scotland was crowned King James I of England. The son of Mary, Queen of Scots, his lineal claim to the throne arose from the fact that he was the grandson of Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII.

On October 20, 1604, a proclamation was issued ordering the title of "King of Great Britain, France and Ireland" to appear on all coins. Crown gold (22kt) was to be used exclusively, except for the ryal. The gold coins struck during James I's reign include some of the most intricate and beautiful in the entire hammered series.

An interesting feature of the Jacobean coins is the commemoration of the union of the crowns of England and Scotland by virtue of James' ascension. Examples include extending and altering the royal titles to include designation of James as "King of Scotland" as well as "King of England", placing a Scottish lion rampant in the coat of arms; striking a denomination called a "unite", and adding Latin legends which lauded the King for "uniting Scotland and England." Thus, the reverse of the half laurel carries the Latin Henricus rosas regna Jacobus ("Henry united the roses, James the kingdoms"). And the laurels and unites carry the legend Faciam eos in gentem unam ("I will make them one nation"--Ezek. 37:22).

The Gold Coins of James I

James I
James I

Spur Ryal value 15 shillings, wt. 6.37 grams
2nd Coinage (1604-1619), London Mint, EF
So-named because the sun and rose on the reverse looked like a spur rowel.

Half Laurel value 10 shillings, wt. 4.47 grams
3rd Coinage (1619-1625), London Mint, EF
This issue gets its name from the laurel wreath on the king's head.

Double Crown value 10 shillings, wt. 4.95 grams
2rd Coinage (1604-1619), London Mint, VF+
The Half sovereign, double crown and half laurel all circulated at the same time with a value of 10 shillings.

Sovereign value 20 shillings, wt. 10.98 grams
1st Coinage (1603-1604), London Mint, EF
The sovereign, unite and laurel all circulated at the same time with a value of 20 to 22 shillings.

Unite value 22 shillings, wt. 9.80 grams
2nd Coinage (1606-1607), London Mint, EF
The coin gets its name from the legends which proclaim James I's intentions to unite England and Scotland.

Laurel value 20 shillings, wt. 8.99 grams
3rd Coinage (1619-1625), London Mint, EF
The style and design of this issue are usually rather poor.

Laurel value 20 shillings, wt. 8.94 grams
3rd Coinage (1619-1625), London Mint, VF+
On the 4th style of bust, the king's cloak is slightly different than previous issues.

Sovereign value 20 shillings, wt. 11.11 grams
1st Coinage (1603-1604), London Mint, EF/AU

Image Rose Ryal value 30 shillings, wt. 13.73 grams
2nd Coinage (1605-1606), London Mint, VF+
James I sits enthroned on this ornate obverse.

Rose Ryal value 30 shillings, wt. 12.48 grams
3nd Coinage (1619-1625), London Mint, FDC
The denomination is noted with three XXX's above the shield.

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