Hel needed with coin

[Guest alf]

Hello my wife found this coin a few years ago.Can anyone please tell us anything about it.

Thanks.

Alan

[mint_mark]

Well, the picture isn't very clear and I'm not an expert on these, but my suggestion is that this is a penny from James I, second or third coinage (between 1604 and 1625). The side with the rose says "I.D.G rosa sine spina"... I.D.G stands for Jacobus Dei Gratia (I and J are the same in latin) meaning James by the grace of god a rose without thorns. The thistle alludes to the fact that James I was the first king of both England and Scotland together.

[Guest alf]

Thanks.