SCOTLAND. James III. 1460-1488. AR Groat (25mm, 2.94 g, 7h). Main issue. Edinburgh mint; im: cross fleury. Struck 1484-1488.

Triton XXIII – Session Four – World Coinage Part II, British Coinage and Medals, and Large Lots
Lot: 1256. Estimated: $ 1 000

British, Silver

Sold For $ 4 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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SCOTLAND. James III. 1460-1488. AR Groat (25mm, 2.94 g, 7h). Main issue. Edinburgh mint; im: cross fleury. Struck 1484-1488. (cross crosslet) · IΛCOBVS : DIЄ : GRΛCIΛ : RЄX : COTRV (saltire and double annulet stops), crowned three-quarter facing bust; annulet on border to right / (cross-crosslet) DnS : PROTC · ORmЄT CTRΛO/ (cross-crosslet) VIL LΛ ЄD : In : B VRGI · (saltire, annulet, and double annulet stops), long cross pattée; crowns in second and third quarters, pellets and annulets in first and fourth. Cf. Grierson, Coins of Medieval Europe 440; Burns 39 (fig. 639); SCBI 35 (Ashmolean & Hunterian) 772-3 (same dies); SCBC 5289. Toned, deposits on reverse. VF. The portrait well struck up.

From the Richard A. Jourdan Collection of Medieval European Coins, purchased from Davissons, 1987.

In the last years of his reign, James III ‘struck some remarkable groats and half-groats with his three-quarter bust facing left, quite different from the profile busts on Italian coinage. The name of the artist is unfortunately unknown, but its resemblance to contemporary panel portraits shows it to represent a true likeness of the king. This tour de force is an isolated phenomenon, portraiture not being repeated again until late in the reign of James V (1526).’ Grierson, p.202

The final winners of all Triton XXIII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 14-15 January 2020. Triton XXIII – Session Four – World Coinage Part II, British Coinage and Medals, and Large Lots will be held Wednesday afternoon, 15 January 2020 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and in person at the public auction, 22.50% for all others.