Mottoes on coins of Great Britain were largely of religious nature or had a reference to the politics of during those days. From time of Edward III to that of Charles II it became customary for all coins to bear mottoes. Different british rulers adopted different mottoes on coins. They mostly appeared in latin language.
EDWARD III
"POSVI DEVM ADVTOREM EMVM"
Meaning - I have taken God to be my helper.
This motto appears on the groats (4 pence) and half groats (2 pence) coins of Edward III. The same motto was also inscribed on coins of Henry VI, Edward IV, Edward VI, Richard III, HenryVII, Henry VIII, Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I.
This motto appears on the groats (4 pence) and half groats (2 pence) coins of Edward III. The same motto was also inscribed on coins of Henry VI, Edward IV, Edward VI, Richard III, HenryVII, Henry VIII, Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I.
EDWARD VI
"TIMOR DOMINI FONS VITAE"Meaning - The fear of lord is the fountain of life.
"POSVI DEVM ADVTOREM EMVM"
Meaning - I have taken God to be my helper.
Edward VI was 9 years old when he was made King in 1547. It was feared that ambitious men close to him may grab his power and use it for their own needs. Therefore the shillings of his reign were inscribed with this legend.
Edward VI was 9 years old when he was made King in 1547. It was feared that ambitious men close to him may grab his power and use it for their own needs. Therefore the shillings of his reign were inscribed with this legend.
MARY I
"VERITAS TEMPORIS FILLA"
Meaning - Truth is the daughter of time.
Meaning - Truth is the daughter of time.
The Duke of Northumberland forced the dying King Edward VI to disinherit Mary and make Lady Jane as his successor. So the groat of Catholic Queen Mary bears this legend.
PHILIP & MARY
"POSVIMUS DEVM ADVTOREM NOSTRUM"
Meaning - We have taken God to be our helper.
JAMES I
"FACIAM EOS IN GENTAM UNAM"
Meaning - I will make them one nation.
Meaning - I will make them one nation.
"EXURGAT DEUS DISSIPENTOR INIMICI"Meaning - Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered.
In the reign of King James I, the union of Scotland and England took place. So his coins bears these legends.
In the reign of King James I, the union of Scotland and England took place. So his coins bears these legends.
CHARLES I
"CHRISTO AUSPICE REGNO"Meaning - I reign with Christ as my protector.
"EXURGAT DEUS DISSIPENTUR INIMICI"
Meaning - Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered.
COMMONWEALTH PROTECTORATES - OLIVER CROMWELL
COMMONWEALTH PROTECTORATES - OLIVER CROMWELL
"GOD WITH US" 
"PAX QUAERITUR BELLO"Meaning - Peace is sought by war.
"HAS NISI PERITURUS MIHI ADIMAT NEMO"
Meaning - The penalty for clipping this coin is death.
In the reign of Cromwell for the first time a motto was adopted in plain english (first motto). The second motto shows the political conditions of the country during that time. The third motto was inscribed on the rim of the coin. This motto became a warning to coin clippers. This kind of motto for any coin is considered very harsh. It appeared on crown and half crown coins.
CHARLES II
CHARLES II
"DECUS ET TUTAMEN"
Meaning - An ornament and a safeguard.
Meaning - An ornament and a safeguard.
"CHRISTO AUSPICE REGNO"
Meaning - I reign with Christ as my protector.
Charles II became king after protectorates, and adopted this smooth legend. It appeared on the edge of five guinea, five pound and on the crown during the reign of King Charles II to Queen Victoria.
Charles II became king after protectorates, and adopted this smooth legend. It appeared on the edge of five guinea, five pound and on the crown during the reign of King Charles II to Queen Victoria.
WILLIAM & MARY
"HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE DIEU ET MON DROIT"Meaning - Shame be his who thinks ill of it.
GEORGE III
"HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE"
Meaning - Shame be his who thinks ill of it.
VICTORIA
"HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE"Meaning - Shame be his who thinks ill of it.
This different but more sensible and powerful motto was inscribed on the jubilee shillings of Queen Victoria. This motto also forms an integral part of British Coat of Arms. As a numismatist, I personally think that this is the best motto to have appeared on any coin in the world till now. Previously the same motto was also inscribed on the 1 shilling and 6 pence coins of George III and George IV.
ELIZABETH II
"DECUS ET TUTAMEN"Meaning - An ornament and a safeguard.
"PLEIDOL WYF I'M GWLAD"
"PLEIDOL WYF I'M GWLAD" Meaning - True am I to my country.
"NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT"
Meaning - No-one provokes me with impunity.
Meaning - No-one provokes me with impunity.
"STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS"
In this long reign of Queen Elizabeth II many mottoes have appeared on the coins. The first motto above is from the period of King Charles II. First three mottoes are inscribed on the edge of one pound coins and the last motto in english is found on the edge of two pound coins. This is the second ever motto to have appeared in English. All other mottoes are in latin language.
In this long reign of Queen Elizabeth II many mottoes have appeared on the coins. The first motto above is from the period of King Charles II. First three mottoes are inscribed on the edge of one pound coins and the last motto in english is found on the edge of two pound coins. This is the second ever motto to have appeared in English. All other mottoes are in latin language.
Besides all these mottoes, some other mottoes also appears on British coins which are combined with the title of the ruler. These mottoes are,
"DEI GRATIA"
Meaning - By the grace of God.
and,
"FIDEI DEFENSOR"
Meaning - Defender of the Faith.
These two mottoes were used with the title of the English king since King Henry VII. But the title of, Defender of the Faith appeared on all coins from the period of King George I. Previously this title rarely appeared on coins.
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