Sword and Sceptre piece of James VI of Scotland

Found in North Lincolnshire in September 2022. The obverse shows a crowned sword and sceptre, flanked by thistles; hence the name of the coin. The reverse legend reads SALVS · POPVLI · SVPREMA · LEX – The safety of the People is the supreme law.

The coin was worth 6 Scottish pounds (about 10 English shillings). It is from the eighth coinage of James VI of Scotland which was his last before his accession to the English throne in 1603.

Sword and sceptre

The use of the sword and sceptre as state symbols in Scotland date from the late fifteenth century under James IV of Scotland. In 1494 Pope Alexander VI gave him a silver-gilt sceptre and thirteen years later Pope Julius II gave him a sword.

They were first used as coronation regalia at the coronation of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1543 and then James VI in 1567. Lost some time during the Civil War they were found again in 1818. They are used on state occasions such as the visit of the newly crowned Elizabeth II.