SCOTLAND. James VI. 1567-1625. AR Two-thirds Ryal (37mm, 20.14 g, 10h). Revaluation of 1578 issue. Edinburgh mint; mm: -/thistle. Dated 1566. MARIA & HENRIC’ DEI GRA R & R SCOTORV, crowned royal coat-of-arms; thistles flanking shield / EXVRGAT DEVS &DISSIPENTR INIMIC EI’, tortoise climbing crowned palm tree decorated with banner inscribed DAT GLORIA VIRES; c/m: crowned thistle. For host coin: SCBC 5426; for c/m: Burns 14 (Mary); SCBI 35 (Ashmolean & Hunterian) 1128 var. (date); SCBC p. 70. Good VF, toned.
In 1578 the price of silver in Scotland had risen so steeply that the existing silver coinage was suddenly worth more than its face value and was in danger of being melted down and exported as bullion. To remedy this crisis, these coins were recalled and consequently counterstruck with the simple crowned thistle to raise their value. Counterstriking continued until 1580, when coins of a finer silver content were issued.
