'Landmark' Scottish Coins Certified by NGC Offered in August Sale

A breathtaking collection of more than 100 Scottish numismatic rarities spanning more than 500 years is being offered for sale by Stack’s Bowers Galleries in August. Bidding is already underway for the coins and medals in the Loch Ness Collection, which is mostly certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®); the sales are ANA Auction Session C, ending August 20, 2021, and Auction Session J, ending August 25, 2021.

The collection touches on pivotal periods in the history of Scotland and the British Isles — from primitive sterling issues under David I in the Middle Ages to the final issues of the Edinburgh Mint under Queen Anne, who unified England and Scotland as Great Britain.

Leading the sale is a legendary piece that is not only the largest gold issue of the British Isles, but also one of only seven known to exist in private hands. This Scotland 1576 James VI 20 Pounds graded NGC VF 20 (lot 41514) features a portrait of King James VI on the obverse, with the legend translated as "James the Sixth, by the grace of God, King of the Scottish" and "Prepared for either" in respect to peace or war. On the reverse is the Scottish shield of arms and the legend, borrowed from Virgil’s Aeneid, that translates to “Show mercy to the defeated and crush the overbearing.”

Scotland 1576 20 Pounds graded NGC VF 20 Click images to enlarge.

The coin shows a boyish James VI, who ruled Scotland from 1567 to his death in 1625, as well as England starting in 1603. He is remembered for commissioning an English translation of the Bible called the King James Version. This coin has an estimate of $70,000 to $100,000.

Another spectacular Scottish rarity in the sale is is a “Hat Piece,” which was minted in hopes of reducing confusion created by the myriad of gold coins of different names and different values in circulation during the late 1500s. Known as the “Hat Piece” because of its design showing King James wearing a tall hat, the coin was struck for three years only (1591-93). This Scotland 1592 Hat Piece (4 Pounds) graded NGC AU 50 (lot 41519) has an estimate of $25,000 to $35,000.

Scotland 1592 Hat Piece (4 Pounds) graded NGC AU 50 Click images to enlarge.

Other important highlights from the Loch Ness Collection in the sale include:

• a Scotland 1701 Pistole (12 Pounds) graded NGC XF 45 (lot 41546) with an estimate of $25,000 to $35,000
• a Scotland 1701 Half Pistole (6 Pounds) graded NGC XF 45 (lot 41547) with an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000
• a Scotland (1588) Noble graded NGC MS 61 (lot 41518) with an estimate of $15,000 to $25,000
• a Scotland 1540 1/3 Ducat graded NGC VF 35 (lot 41503) with an estimate of $15,000 to $25,000
• a Scotland 1580 Ducat graded NGC VF 25 (lot 41515) with an estimate of $15,000 to $25,000
• a Scotland 1584 Noble graded NGC VF 25 (lot 41516) with an estimate of $18,000 to $22,000
• a Scotland (1475-83) Half Rider graded NGC XF 45 (lot 41496) with an estimate of $12,000 to $18,000
• a Scotland 1540 “Bonnet Piece” Ducat graded NGC VF 35 (lot 41501) with an estimate of $12,000 to $18,000
• a Scotland 1553 22 Shillings graded NGC MS 63 (lot 41507) with an estimate of $12,000 to $18,000
• a Scotland 1555 3 Pounds graded NGC F 15 (lot 41508) with an estimate of $12,000 to $18,000
• a Scotland (1124-53) Penny graded NGC XF Details (lot 41482) with an estimate of $3,500 to $5,500

All estimates are provided by the auction house in US dollars.

Related Links:

• NGC Census: Great Britain-Scotland to 1603
• NGC Census: Great Britain-Scotland 1601 to 1716