1 Testoon - Mary I 1st Period, Type II

Mary I returned to Scotland in 1561 after the death of her husband Francis II of France, but this issue predates that entirely — struck during her minority regency period when Scotland was governed in her name while she remained at the French court. The Testoon denomination itself was a French import, the name derived from the Italian testone, introduced to Scottish coinage in the sixteenth century as Franco-Scottish political ties deepened under the Auld Alliance.

Sp#5403 distinguishes the Type II from the earlier first-period issue by specific bust and legend characteristics documented by Spink.