Name/TitleScotland, Mary first period (1542-58), billon bawbee, Edinburgh, with fluted cross, cracked/worn
About this object"Billion" Bawbee, minted between 1542-58. On the obverse (heads), it depicts a thistle underneath a crown next to the words "M R" to demote Queen Mary I (1542-1587), Queen of Scotland (1542-1567). Around the image is the abbreviated Latin Text"MARIA D G R SCOTORUM" which translates to "Mary, by the grace of God, Queen of Scots". On the reverse (tails) side, it shows the St Andrews cross with crown in the middle and cinquefoil flowers to the side. Around it the Textreads in Latin "OPPIDUM EDENBURGI", meaning "Town of Edinburgh". It reason for the name "Billion" is that the coin was/is an alloy metal, a mix of copper and silver.
