AR Shilling

Struck: 1603-1605
Mint: Tower Mint
Size: 31mm
Weight: 5.9g
Die Axis: ~70°
Grade: aVF
Ref: Sp# 2646, KM# 14.

Obv: IACOBVS · D’ · G’ · ANG’ · SCO’ · FRA’ · ET · HIB’ · REX. Second crowned bust right, denomination behind, legend and mintmark around.
Rev: EXVRGAT · DEVS · DISSIPENTVR · INIMICI. Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, legend around.
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James I was born on June 19th, 1566 and was the King of Scotland from July 24th 1567 and King of England and Ireland from March 24th, 1603 until his death on March 27th 1625. His rule is notable because it was the first time England and Scotland had been ruled under the same monarch. The previous English monarch had been Elizabeth I. She had died without any children, so the English agreed to have a Scottish monarch because James was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, thus the closest relative Elizabeth had.

James was able to achieve most of his aims in Scotland but his rule in England faced many difficulties including repeated conflicts with the English Parliament, growing financial concerns as well as the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. On November 5th, 1605 James was the target of a plot in which a group of Catholics planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament while James was in the building. The plot was foiled when a member of the group, Guy Fawkes, was found in a basement with barrels of gunpowder. The event is remembered every year on 5 November, also known as Bonfire Night, where many people decide to celebrate and light bonfires and fireworks.

Despite his flaws he was generally liked by his people who had enjoyed relative peace during his reign. He is also noted for granting the charters which authorized the establishment of permanent settlements in North America. The settlement of Jamestown, Virginia is named after him.

James I died on march 27, 1625 during a bout of dysentery. His funeral was described as magnificent but disorderly. He was buried at Westminster Abbey.