Two-thirds Ducat or Bonnet Piece
Issuer
King James V of Scotland
(Linlithgow Palace, Linlithgow, Scotland, 1512 - 1542)
Date1540
Object NameTwo-thirds Ducat
Mediumgold
ClassificationsCoins
Dimensions19.5 x 0.5mm, 3.7gm
AcquisitionPurchased in 1988.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS015999
About MeNo one who has read Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' can be unaware of the existence of the Venetian gold ducat but the fact that there is a Scottish coin of the same name comes as a surprise to many.James V's ducat shows an excellent portrait of the King in fancy headgear which is the origin of the coin's popular name, 'Bonnet Piece'. The ducat was worth 40 shillings Scots; illustrated is the 2/3rds ducat of 26 shillings and 8 pence. These together with the 1/3rd ducat were the very first Scottish coins to include the date in their inscriptions.
