Rose Ryal facts for kids

James I: Rose Ryal
• IACOBVS • D’. G’. MAG’. BRIT’. FRAN’. ET • HIBER’. REX •, James enthroned facing, scepter in right hand, orb in left, within tressure of arches; portcullis below	• A • DNO’. FACTVM • EST • ISTVD • ET • EST • MIRAB’. IN • OCVLIS • NRIS •, royal shield on rose.
AV Rose-ryal (13.68 g, 2h). Second coinage. London mint; im: rose. Struck 1605-1606.

The Rose Ryal was a special gold coin made in England a long time ago, during the rule of King James I. These coins are very rare today! It was actually a "two-ryal" coin, meaning it was worth thirty shillings. That's like one and a half pounds back then. It was an improved version of an older coin called the "fine sovereign" from Queen Elizabeth I's time.

What is the Rose Ryal Coin?

The Rose Ryal got its name because it had a picture of a rose on one side. It was first made during King James I's second period of making coins, which was from 1604 to 1619.

First Design of the Rose Ryal

The first Rose Ryal coins had a cool design.

• On the front side, called the obverse, you could see King James sitting on his throne.
• Below his feet was a portcullis, which is a strong gate often found at castles.
• Around the king, there was writing in Latin that said: "IACOBUS DG MAG BRIT FRAN ET HIBER REX". This means "James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland King."
• The back side, called the reverse, showed the royal shield placed over a rose.
• Around the shield and rose, there was more Latin writing: "A. DNO FACTUM EST ISTUD ET EST MIRAB IN OCULIS NRIS". This phrase comes from Psalm 118 in the Bible and means "This is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes."

Later Designs of the Rose Ryal

King James I made new coins again during his third period of coinage, from 1619 to 1625.

• The new Rose Ryal coins had a redesigned picture of the king on his throne on the front. The portcullis was still there.
• The Latin writing on the front was a bit shorter: "IACOBUS DG MA BRI FR ET HI REX".
• On the back, the royal shield was still there, but now it had "XXX" written above it. This "XXX" showed that the coin was worth 30 shillings.
• The shield was surrounded by pictures of roses, lions, and fleur-de-lis (a lily symbol).
• The Latin phrase "A. DNO FACTUM EST ISTUD ET EST MIRAB IN OCULIS NRIS" was still used around the edge.