Unicorn (coin)
Encyclopedia
The unicorn was a gold
coin that formed part of Scottish coinage
between 1484 and 1525. It was initially issued under the reign of James III
with a value of 18 shillings Scots, but rising gold prices during the reign of James V
caused its value to increase first to 20 shillings, and then 22. The obverse of the coin shows a crowned unicorn
. The significance is that the unicorn is one of the heraldic symbols of Scotland, occurring most notably in the royal coat of arms of Scotland
as crowned and chained supporters.
A half-unicorn was introduced with a value of 9 shillings during the reign of James IV
. It also rose in value due to gold prices under James V
, first to 10, and then 11 shillings.
The unicorn was replaced during the reign of James V with the gold crown, or Abbey crown, which had a value of 20 shillings.
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
coin that formed part of Scottish coinage
Scottish coinage
The coinage of Scotland covers a range of currency and coins in Scotland during Classical antiquity, the reign of ancient provincial kings, royal dynasties of the ancient Kingdom of Scotland and the later Mediaeval and Early modern periods....
between 1484 and 1525. It was initially issued under the reign of James III
James III of Scotland
James III was King of Scots from 1460 to 1488. James was an unpopular and ineffective monarch owing to an unwillingness to administer justice fairly, a policy of pursuing alliance with the Kingdom of England, and a disastrous relationship with nearly all his extended family.His reputation as the...
with a value of 18 shillings Scots, but rising gold prices during the reign of James V
James V of Scotland
James V was King of Scots from 9 September 1513 until his death, which followed the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss...
caused its value to increase first to 20 shillings, and then 22. The obverse of the coin shows a crowned unicorn
Unicorn
The unicorn is a legendary animal from European folklore that resembles a white horse with a large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead, and sometimes a goat's beard...
. The significance is that the unicorn is one of the heraldic symbols of Scotland, occurring most notably in the royal coat of arms of Scotland
Royal coat of arms of Scotland
The royal coat of arms of Scotland was the official coat of arms of the monarchs of Scotland, and was used as the official coat of arms of the Kingdom of Scotland until the Acts of Union of 1707...
as crowned and chained supporters.
A half-unicorn was introduced with a value of 9 shillings during the reign of James IV
James IV of Scotland
James IV was King of Scots from 11 June 1488 to his death. He is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland, but his reign ended with the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field, where he became the last monarch from not only Scotland, but also from all...
. It also rose in value due to gold prices under James V
James V of Scotland
James V was King of Scots from 9 September 1513 until his death, which followed the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss...
, first to 10, and then 11 shillings.
The unicorn was replaced during the reign of James V with the gold crown, or Abbey crown, which had a value of 20 shillings.