Lot 4559

Billon Plack 1557 of Mary (S.5437) with countermark Star in out-lined heart (1575) - Obv: Crowned shield dividing M and R / Rev: Ornate cross with plain cross in centre and crowns in angles - 1,65 gram, the countermark was the badge of James, earl of Morton, regent during James VI's minority, and was supposed to have been applied in 1575 to validate true coins among the many false ones then circulating - good Fine