Mary Queen of Scots Bawbee (6d) Edinburgh 1542-1558

Description

Denomination: Silver alloy (billon) bawbee =6d

Period: Stuart/Tudor, before Mary’s marriage

Date: 1542-58 

Origin: Edinburgh mint

Condition: AEF, silvery tone, an excellent example with a few weak areas of strike

Obverse: Crowned thistle dividing MR, legend MARIA · DEI · G · R · SCOTORVM

Reverse: Crown impaled upon a saltire, flanked by a cinquefoil on each side, legend OPPIDVM · EDINBVRGI

Size and Weight: 14mm, 1.92g

References: Spink’s C of S I 5432

Features and Provenance: Mary Queen of Scots, or Mary I of Scotland (not to be confused with Mary I of England) was one of the most tragic subjects in history. She became queen when she was only seven days old in 1542, was educated in France and brought up in the Catholic faith. Her first marriage was to the Dauphin, Francis in 1558 but he died 2 years later. She then marries Lord Darnley and bore him a son, who was later to become James I of England, but she was implicated in Darnley’s murder only two years later. Marrying again, to her alleged co-conspirator, she abdicated and escaped to England but was imprisoned by Elizabeth I. After numerous intrigues and plots, she was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in 1587. Her coinage stands alone as one that mirrors a monarch’s life so closely, with the changing initials and portraits reflecting her reign and fall from grace.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible