1 Groat - James V 2nd Coinage, Type IV

James V's second coinage was authorized following a significant revaluation of Scottish silver in 1526, itself a response to chronic debasement pressure from continental trade and the persistent undervaluation of Scottish currency against the English pound. Type IV within this coinage represents a later die phase, and examples vary considerably in striking quality — not as a generic caveat, but because the Edinburgh mint during this period was operating with aging equipment and inconsistent blank preparation, a documented problem in the Scottish mint records of the 1530s.

Spink 5379 is among the more frequently misattributed Scottish groats, often confused with Type III due to subtle legend differences that require direct comparison against a reference specimen.