View source for Scotland 1580 80 shillings Fr-38

[[Image:H3089-31304o.jpg|300px|thumb|Heritage sale 3089, lot 31304]]
[[Image:H3089-31304r.jpg|300px|thumb]]

This specimen was lot 31304 in Heritage sale 3089 (Dallas, TX, January 2021), where it sold for $55,200. The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, <blockquote>"[[Great Britain, Scotland|Scotland]]. James VI (I) gold Ducat (4 Pounds) 1580 AU55 NGC, Edinburgh mint, Crown mm, Third coinage. • IACOBVS • 6 • D • EI GRA • REX • SCOTORVM •, bareheaded, armored, and draped bust left, wearing ruffled collar / EXVRGAT DE (crook-shaped abbreviation) • ET • DISSIP • INIMICI • EIVS, crowned coat-of-arms; 15 - 80 across fields. An early gold issue of the boy-king James VI, this incredibly rare piece is almost never encountered, let alone so fine without any major issues or signs of post-mint alteration. While some minor doubling throughout is noted for the sake of accuracy, as well as a few natural flan flaws in the fields on the obverse, the coin on the whole lacks a distinct degree of any real wear, at the same time offering a well-centered strike garnished by a hint of a reddish tone. Standing as a one-year type, the cataloger has been able to locate only four other specimens coming to auction over the past decade-plus:

1) the Adams, Mallinson specimen, graded as 'fine' with numerous bumps and marks, and also being ex jewelry
2) the 'possible Murdoch' piece, classified as 'good fine,' displaying numerous marks, and also with a history of use in jewelry
3) the Dundee representative, listed as 'About VF/XF' with graffiti in the fields
4) the LaRiviere, Hird, Marquis of Blute example, 'almost extremely fine' and an overall fairly attractive type, very close to the charm of our present specimen

Accordingly, the latter type most recently realized a hammer of £13,000 (well over $22,000) in early 2006. With the present piece ranking quite near Mint State, and as reportedly the only certified example, we would not be surprised to see this level equaled or even bested. Ex. Douglas Collection (Spink Auction 119, March 1997, Lot 293). From the Penn Collection."</blockquote> Friedberg catalogs this as a ducat altho the weight is much too high.

''Recorded mintage:'' unknown.

''Specification:'' gold, this specimen 6.13 g. 

''Catalog reference:'' S-5452, Fr-38, Burns-pg. 387, 1 (Fig. 948), SCBI XXXV-1142. 

''[[Bibliography|Source:]]'' 
* 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. 
* Lobel, Richard, Mark Davidson, Allan Hailstone and Eleni Calligas, ''Coincraft's Standard Catalogue of the Coins of Scotland, Ireland, Channel Islands & Isle of Man,'' London: Coincraft, 1999.
* 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.
* <sup>[1]</sup>Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, ''Heritage Auction 3089: NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum & Signature Auction - Dallas, featuring the Cape Coral Collection of European Crowns and the Penn Collection'', Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2020.

''Links to:''
* [[Scotland 1576 20 pounds Fr-37|1576 20 pounds]]
* [[Scotland 1580 1/2 merk|1580 half merk]]
* [[Scotland 1582 20 shillings]]
* [[Scotland 1582 30 shillings]]
* [[Scotland 1584 lion noble Fr-39]] = angel
* [[Scotland 1592 80 shillings Fr-43|1592 80 shillings "hat piece"]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 1580]]

[[Category:Selections from Heritage sale 3089]]