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1 Lion - Mary I 1st Period
| Issuer | Scottish Mint (Edinburgh) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1556 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 0.96 g |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Central field displays a rampant lion passant, facing sinister, surmounted by a small crown, the traditional heraldic symbol of the Kingdom of Scotland. The lion is depicted in a stylised hammered relief typical of mid-16th century Scottish billon coinage. The surrounding circumferential legend is separated from the central device by a linear border, with the date 1556 incorporated into the legend. The flan is irregular in shape, consistent with hand-hammered production. |
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| Reverse lettering | VICIT VERITAS 1556 (Translation: Truth has conquered) |
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| Additional information |
Mary I's first coinage period in Scotland (1542–58) was struck during her minority, with the realm governed by regents — first Arran, then her mother Mary of Guise. The lion, Scotland's smallest billon denomination, circulated alongside a chaotic mix of debased issues as the regency struggled to maintain monetary stability against English pressure and the costs of French alliance. The billon fineness of this series reflects deliberate debasement policy, not accident.
Spink 5438 is among the more elusive types of the period at any grade.