Groat of James I of Scotland

Warrick Rochester said he found this hammered silver coin last year. He had looked it up on Google and seen several different values so he asked for my opinion on his find.

The coin is a groat of James I of Scotland, whose dates are 1406 to 1437. On the obverse is a facing bust of the king with a sceptre to the left. The legend reads TRACIA instead of GRACIA and ends with SCO.

The reverse is divided into four by a long cross. In two of the inner angles is a trio of pellets with a tiny central pellet and in the other two is a fleur de lis. The legend reads VILL ACE (this should be ADE) LInL IThGo.

All the preceding information adds up to this coin being struck at the mint situated in Linlithgow. Therefore, this is a very rare coin. In Coins of Scotland, Ireland and the Islands it is listed as number 5199.

Valuation

The obverse would grade Fair to Fine but has some edge loss below the king and an upward bend from, about 7 o’clock to 8.30. The reverse is better and would grade Fine. A James I Linlithgow groat grading good Fine or better was recently sold at auction and the hammer price was £1,000. The specimen found by Warrick isn’t as good so it would sell for less. If I were cataloguing it for sale at auction then in its present state of preservation I would set the pre-sale estimate no higher than £300-400.

Valuation Service

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