Gold Half Unite Coin James I Fine

BullionByPost is proud to offer numismatic collectors a growing range of rare collectable coins, including this hammered Gold James I Half Unite, in fine condition. This coin is also known as a Double Crown..

This gold coin features King James I fifth crown bust on the obverse and a Crowned Square Shield on the reverse, with a mintmark from the Tower Mint in London showing it was struck between 1612 and 1613.

Please Note: You will receive the actual coin pictured. For a more detailed view, please hover your cursor over the image..

The Double Crown features Latin around the edge of both sides of the coin, with the obverse reading JACOBUS D G MAG BRIT FRA ET HI REX or James, by the grace of God, of Britain, France and Ireland, King. The reverse side of the coin features more of a personal boast, with the Latin stating HENRICUS ROSAS REGNA JACOBUS - Henry the roses, James the kingdoms. This is a not-so-veiled reference to the unification of England and Scotland.

After the death of Queen Elizabeth I, James VI of Scotland ascended the English throne as James I, the first Stuart King of England. These coins could possibly have been handled by one of the conspirators of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, or used to purchase one of the new authorised versions of the Bible.