How to Identify the Unite of James I

Begin with the obverse portrait, which is the clearest confirmation. A genuine Unite shows a crowned half-length figure of James in ornate armor and robes, facing right, holding an orb and sceptre. Around it runs a Latin legend naming him King of Great Britain, France and Ireland; the appearance of the British title (rather than just England) marks this as post-1603 Stuart coinage. The observed coin's armored, feather-and-robe portrait profile matches this type.

Turn the coin to check the reverse, not shown in this image. Expect a crowned, garnished shield of the quartered royal arms — England, Scotland, Ireland and France combined — surrounded by the union motto FACIAM EOS IN GENTEM VNAM ("I will make them one nation"). This legend is effectively a signature of the Unite and a strong authentication cue.

Assess size, metal, and fabric. The Unite is a broad, thin gold coin of roughly ten grams, considerably larger than the small gold crowns and half-crowns. Because it is hand-hammered, expect a slightly irregular flan, minor off-centring, and lettering that is not machine-perfect. A flawless, perfectly round, sharp-edged piece should raise suspicion of a modern reproduction.

Locate the mint mark (initial mark) at the start of the legends. All Unites were struck at the Tower mint, and the mark (a small symbol such as a rose, thistle, lis, escallop, coronet, key or similar) is the primary tool for dating a coin within the reign. Compare it against a standard reference such as Spink's Coins of England before settling an attribution.

Be alert to look-alikes and cautions. Do not confuse the Unite with the Laurel, the later gold pound of James I that shows a Roman laureate head facing left, or with the sovereign of the First Coinage. Because Stuart gold is valuable, cast copies, tooled coins and forgeries exist: check weight and diameter, look for casting seams or a spongy surface, and obtain independent authentication before any serious purchase.