James I 1461-1483 AD

THE SPUR RYAL - in 1606 James I issued a coin of the same design and value of 15 shillings but with a reduced weight of 106¾ grains and because of its distinctive reverse of 'sun in glory' resembling a spur rowel it soon became popularly known as the Spur Ryal. In 1612 the value of all gold coins was raised 10% making this coin worth 16s 6d. The known coin-weights are usually square although some round ones do exist and they all use the reverse design of the coin - a 'spur' on one side with a crowned XVIS VID on the other.

in 1619 the weight was decreased to 98 grains and the value returned to 15 shillings. Only square coin-weights are known, all as the previous design but with the new value a crown over XVS on the reverse.

James VI and I was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until his death in 1625. The kingdoms of Scotland and England were individual sovereign states, with their own parliaments, judiciaries, and laws, though both were ruled by James in personal union.