30 pence piece of James VI of Scotland

Michael Young said he found the coin pictured here many years since but had just rediscovered it in a box on his bookshelf. I was asked to provide an ID and a valuation.

The coin is a Scottish silver 30 pence piece, with a bust on the obverse of King James VI facing right. On the reverse is a crowned triple-headed thistle with leaves at its base.

Coins of this type were struck during the seventh coinage of James VI. The first date for the denomination was 1594 and the last one 1601. They are quite rare as detecting finds.

Valuation

Both sides are badly struck and the date is off the flan. However, a collector on a budget who hasn’t got an example of this coinage and denomination might be willing to pay up to £25 for this find.

Hiding your finds

By the way, do take care of your finds and if you hide them somewhere then do remember where you have put them. I know a detectorist who has hidden finds all over his house. Unfortunately, he can’t remember where some of them are. At some point in the future, when this detectorist is no longer with us and his house has been sold, someone might start to discover coins and artefacts in several different places and be mystified as to how they came to be there. So, if you have a dodgy memory, do keep a written record about your hiding places.

Valuation Service

If you would like your coin identified or valued, please read about my valuation service and contact me