Scotland: Silver Thistle Merk - James VI

This is a Scottish Thistle Merk, of King James VI minted at Edinburgh in 1602

Obverse: Crowned royal arms. IACOBVS. 6. D. G. R. SCOTORVM (James the Sixth, by the Grace of God, King of Scots)

Reverse: Crowned thistle.  REGEM. IOVA. PROTEGIT. 1602  (Jehova protects the king)

DENOMINATION: Thistle Merk 

CULTURE: Stuart Scotland

MONARCH: James VI 

DATE: 1567 - 1625 AD

MATERIAL: Silver

SIZE: 29.7 mm diameter

WEIGHT: 5.15 grams

ATTRIBUTION: Spink 5497

PROVENANCE: Formerly in a private collection, Bristol.