The angel denomination took its name from the Archangel Michael shown defeating a dragon — a design imported from English coinage after Edward IV introduced the type in 1465. James IV's pattern at this weight represents an experimental heavy module, roughly double the standard English angel, likely produced for diplomatic or presentation purposes rather than circulation. Scotland's own gold coinage in this period was already erratic; the king was spending heavily on military preparation for what would become the Caledonian catastrophe at Flodden Field in September 1513.
James IV died at Flodden. Whether any coins from this emission reached actual use is unknown.
The angel denomination took its name from the Archangel Michael shown defeating a dragon — a design imported from English coinage after Edward IV introduced the type in 1465. James IV's pattern at this weight represents an experimental heavy module, roughly double the standard English angel, likely produced for diplomatic or presentation purposes rather than circulation. Scotland's own gold coinage in this period was already erratic; the king was spending heavily on military preparation for what would become the Caledonian catastrophe at Flodden Field in September 1513.
James IV died at Flodden. Whether any coins from this emission reached actual use is unknown.