ONE OF THE FIRST COINS STRUCK IN SCOTLAND TO BE OFFERED AT NOONANS

One of the first coins struck in Scotland will be offered within Part II of a large collection of Scottish coins that had been amassed over the last 50 years by an anonymous collector. From the reign of David I (1124-1153), the coin will be offered at Noonans Mayfair on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 3pm. The very rare coin is estimated at £1,200-1,500 [lot 601].

Comprising 177 lots, the collection is expected to fetch around £50,000-60,000. Jim Brown, Coin Specialist at Noonans commented: “We are very pleased to be offering the second part of this single-owner collection of Scottish Coins. Part I was 100% sold and fetched an overall hammer price of £86,270 when offered at auction in January of this year.”

Elsewhere in the sale are several coins from very rare mints. From the reign of Robert II (1371-1390) is a groat (silver coin worth four pence) that was minted in Dundee, which is estimated at £1,200-1,500. The Dundee mint opened in the 1380s and was only open for a few years [lot 698].

Similarly, a very rare groat from the reign of James I (1406-1437) from the Linlithgow mint was probably struck in the mid 1430s when the king was completing building works on his new royal palace in the town. It is estimated at £700-900 [lot 732].

A balance Half-Merk from the reign of James VI (1567-1625) dating from 1591 and decorated with a crowned shield between thistle-heads on the obverse and an unusual sword and scales motif on the reverse. It is expected to fetch £500-700 [lot 759].

As Mr Brown explained: “This issue from the early 1590s is in remarkable contrast to the coinage of neighbouring England. When a coinage was not of international commercial importance, there could be less emphasis on continuity and more on experimentation. Unlike Elizabeth I, the king of Scots had scope to introduce an element of propaganda to his coinage as illustrated in this unusual religious and political statement, ‘His differt rege tyrannus’ - ‘In these things a king differs from a tyrant’, emphasising the justness of his rule - the scales replacing the sword to administer law and not inspire fear. Baptised a Catholic but raised and educated mainly by Protestant tutors, James was well aware of the religious divisions in 16th century society and walked a fine line between the two factions within his kingdom. He is also making a political point - contrasting the relative enlightenment and security of Scotland with the despotism of Catholic Spain and the contemporary turmoil in France and the Low Countries.”