Scotland (1518-26) unicorn Fr-22
The first specimen was lot 25469 in Heritage sale 3024 (Chicago, April 2013), where it sold for $4,112.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "James V (1513-42) gold Unicorn ND, 1st Coinage of 1518-26, Crown mm, Cinquefoil countermark in fourth quadrant field of reverse, pellet in center of reverse (the wavy star over cross fleury), uncertified, Choice About XF, unusually sharp details on a full flan, all letters of the legends present, only slightly wavy flan, crack starting at 3 o'clock obverse edge, tooled above it, some adjustments (mint made) down through shield and the unicorn's left fore leg. All that being said, this coin remains a charming example of a rare and historic hammered gold coinage, with lovely gold color." The second specimen was lot 41499 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Costa Mesa, CA, August 2021), where it sold for $16,800. The catalog description[2] noted,
"Historic James V Unicorn, Ex Murdoch Collection (1903). SCOTLAND. Unicorn, ND (1513-42). Edinburgh Mint; mm: x/crown. James V. NGC VF-30. S-5365; Fr-22; Burns-5 (fig. 733). Weight: 3.85 gms. First Coinage, Without Countermark. A beautiful piece with rich honey-gold tone and hints of powder-blue iridescence. The surfaces are smooth and glossy without any notable blemishes throughout. Off center towards 12 o'clock on both sides but otherwise well defined. The unicorn and shield on the obverse are dramatically echoed from a multitude of strikes. Perhaps one of the most historic examples available, this coin has been mistakenly identified as S-5364 (with countermark) on the NGC label. The gold unicorn was issued for roughly the first decade of James V's technical rule before being replaced by the crowns of the second coinage circa 1526. While his official coronation was in 1512 at the age of one, James V did not fully embrace the kingship until 1528, after dismissing his regents and escaping from the custody of Archibald Douglas, the 6th Earl of Angus. From the Loch Ness Collection. Ex: St. James's Auctions (6/2007) Lot # 464. Ex: WAG (6/2005) Lot # 5060. Ex: Leu (10/2004) Lot # 512. Ex: John G. Murdoch Collection (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge - 5/1903) Lot # 166."
Half unicorns are also mentioned for this reign.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: gold.
Catalog reference: S-5364, Fr-22.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Skingley, Philip, ed., Standard Catalogue of British Coins: Coins of Scotland, Ireland and the Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Man & Lundy), Pre-Decimal Issues, 2nd edition, London: Spink & Son, 2003.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3024, featuring the Kairos and Elizabeth McPhall Charters Collections, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The August 2021 ANA sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
- Lobel, Richard, Mark Davidson, Allan Hailstone and Eleni Calligas, Coincraft's Standard Catalogue of English and UK Coins, 1066 to Date, London: Coincraft, 1995.
Link to: