Scotland, James VI (1588) gold Thistle Noble MS61, one year issue of 1588, ex La Riviere and Loch Ness collections

Scotland, James VI (1567-1625), gold Thistle Noble of Eleven Merks or £7/6/8d, fifth coinage (1588-90), crowned Scottish arms at centre of ship sailing left, thistle on hull, bow flag with I for James and stern flag with 6, flag on top mast has incuse saltire cross, Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding both sides, IACOBVS. 6. DEI. GRATIA. REX. SCOTORVM.*. rev. thistle at centre of saltire cross with crown terminals, crowned Scottish lions in angles, all within panel with eight thistles surrounding, initial mark pellet on quatrefoil, *FLORENT. SCEPT. PIIS. REGNA. HIS. IOVA. DAT. NVMERATQ (Burns 2, fig.951; SCBI Hunterian & Ashmoleon 35:1148-52; SCBI National Museum of Scotland 58:1262; SCBI Stewartby 71:1051/1052; S.5456). Fully centred strike on a full flan with a rich tone, an exceptional coin with an accomplished strike, both regal in its heraldry and overall design, paying homage to nautical prowess in its main design, slabbed and graded as the finest by NGC as MS61.