Coin (obverse), half merk, from reign of Charles I

Add to album

This is the obverse of a half merk minted at Edinburgh in 1637, during the reign of Charles I. The coin was worth six shillings and eight pence Scots.

The obverse bears a crowned portrait of the king. Behind his head is the number 'VI' over an '8', indicating the coin's value. The Latin inscription translates as: 'Charles, by the Grace of God, King of Scots, England, France and Ireland.'

During Charles's reign the mill and screw coin press was introduced to Scotland by a Frenchman, Nicolas Briot, who was Master of the Mint for a time. The press lent Charles's coins a level of technical excellence previously unknown.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-053-867-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C3415
• Date: 1637
  
• Material: Silver; flattening and abrasions round part of edge; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. CAR . D : G . SCOT . ANG . FR . ET . HIB . R .; crowned bust to left with small sideways B below; VI over 8 behind head / Rev. . CHRISTO . AVSPICE . REGNO .; small side
  Coin Type: 3rd coinage, 1st (Briot's) issue
  Coin, half merk
  
• Dimensions: 25.00 x 25.50 mm D / Die Axis: 6.0
  
• What: Coin Type: 3rd coinage, 1st (Briot's) issue
  Coin, half merk
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: Charles I
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Charles I silver half-merk, Edinburgh, 1637
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Richardson (1901), 19 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: