Description
James VI (1567-1625), gold Rider of 100 Shillings, 1594, before accession to English throne seventh coinage, inner linear circles both sides, mintmark quatrefoil, King in armour, helmet on horseback galloping right, with upright diagonal sword touching the inner border, date below groundline, pellets either side. Rev, crowned doubled bordered shield with Scottish lion at centre, adorned by ornamental lis emblems, 5.05g (S.5458; SCBI 35 [Ashmoleon], 1161).
Deep golden toning with a reflectiveness to the fields, original mint bloom. Kings pelleted armour and horse absolutely superb, with a little fade near the horses tail, legends clear with few soft spots, some toning spots above. Reverse, legends generally legible, crowned shield especially the detail in the lion very pleasing. Slight wave to flan at 6 o’clock most probably a collar shift, few light scratches. One of the more iconic gold coins in the Scottish series, quintessentially Scottish but perhaps drawing some of its inspiration from earlier continental coins (see, Italy, Spanish Kings of Naples. Alfonso I of Aragon (1442-1458) Gold Alfonsino or Ducatone). Near extremely fine for issue, possibly struck with partially worn dies, rare.
