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Scottish Coins ~ David II (1329-1371)
David II was captured by the English at Neville's Cross in 1341, and was released in 1357 with the promise to pay the sum of 100000 marks. The better part of this was paid in his then recently issued coinage, which reflects English influence. The above Groat coin was the first of this denomination struck in Scotland, all prior issues were pennies or there fractions. It was struck earlier in the reign, and is in the "heavy" series of coins that were minted before a devaluation later in the reign. The portrait on this coin reflects a more youthful figure of King David II and was more likely struck in the 1350's when Groats were first minted. the legend around the obverse of the coin is DAVID DEI GRA REX SCOTORUM which translates to David, by the grace of God, King of the Scots. The outer legend on the reverse is DEVS PROTECTOR MEVS ET LIBERATOR MEVS which translates to God is my protector and liberator. The inner legend on the reverse of this coin is VILLA EDINBURGH the mint name. This coin is particularly rare, it has seven arcs in the tressure around the King's head, the great majority of these coins have only six arcs. This coin was thought to be unique when J.D. Robertson wrote his Coinage of Scotland in 1878, but now approximately four examples including this one are known. Denominations used during this reign:Gold
Noble or 6/8 or 80 PenceInasmuch as a Scot would loathe using an Anglish coin to illustrate history, unfortunately I hae to hide under the guise of economy and use a similar piece issued by Edward III to illustrate what the David II noble would have looked like. Only four original nobles of David's gold coinage are presently known, most in museums. He modelled his coinage on that of Edward III though. Really aside from the monarch's name, and the Scottish shield with the King, the only difference was the Latin legend DEVS PROTECTOR MEVS ET LIBERATOR MEVS or God is my protector and liberator, closely matching the Anglish POSVI DEVM ADIVTOREM MEVM or I have made God my helper. Silver
The above Groat coin was issued somewhat after the first coin, this coin has an older and rather uglier portrait of King David II (Note the sunken features of the face and the larger recess around the eyes) It is still of the "heavy" series of coins and is a much scarcer variety than the first coin. It has other more subtle changes to the design, like small trefoils in the arcs of the tressure, and the addition of a small star like pellet at the handle of the sceptre. This coin is one of the last issues of this monarch, and is of course from the so called "light" issue because it's size had been reduced. Supposedly the star was placed on the sceptre to denote the weight change. The introduction of this coinage also marked a turning point for Scottish coinage as it was thereafter no longer accepted in England at par value, but had been reduced ie a groat such as the above coin would only be accepted at threepence in Northern England. This coin is the best example I have seen of an early medieval Scottish coin. Groat or 4d
During the reign of Alexander III halfpennies and farthings were first issued, however larger denominations, namely the halfgroat (2d) and groat (4d) were not issued until ca. 1357 when David II's second coinage was released. This coinage also included a gold noble and it's fractions all of which are quite rare today. This is an example of a scarce halfgroat, for some reason this denomination was not as popular as the penny and the groat and they are only rarely encountered. Halfgroat or 2d
The above piece is a penny that was also issued during the second coinage of this reign. It has an earlier, younger portrait of King David II. Note the stars in the quarters of the cross on the reverse, and the fleurettes in them. This coin corresponds to the later coinage of this reign, when David II returned from captivity in England.
Born in 1324, David II succeeded his father, Robert I upon the latters death in 1329. He spent the better part of his youth in France during which time, several guardians ruled Scotland, and Edward Balliol claimed the throne. Early into this new reign pennies were struck, probably in Edinburgh, which were similar to the issues of Robert the Bruce, however these coins had the young portrait of the child King. This coinage still was somewhat crude compared to the latter coinage which was initiated in the 1350's Penny or 1dHalfpenny or 1/2d |
Page last updated on 5th August 2011 Года All pages and images copyright © David Parrish 1999 - 2011 Года
