David II (1329-1371), Second/Third Coinage, Class C, Groat, class ‘C-star’, Edinburgh, mm. cross pattée, third intermediate bust, tressure of six arcs, nothing in spandrels, star behind head and after e of edinburgh, double crosslet stops, nothing after scotorvm, ornate a on obv., plain a on rev., 3.88g/1h (cf. SCBI 35, 390; B –, fig. – but see p.257; S 5123). Nearly very fine, very rare £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Scottish Coins, the Property of a Gentleman.

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stray metal detector find from near Ayr (Ayrshire), May 2015; bt June 2015

It was generally assumed that the star behind head was added as a result of the weight reduction prescribed in the Act of Parliament of October 1367 and was the first of the reduced weight coins. However, research by the vendor suggest that this is an over-simplification of the situation and that the dies fit towards the end of the sequence of Class C and that the weight of the coins of this type varies between the English standard of 67 grains and the 61 grain standard finally adopted and maintained in the Third coinage. It seems the weight was reduced, rose again, fell, rose and finally fell a third time to stabilise at 61 grains.