Coin (obverse), farthing, from reign of David II

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This is the obverse of a silver farthing - the only known one of its type - minted at Edinburgh between 1351 and 1357, during the reign of David II. The coin was worth a quarter of a penny Scots. It was found at Aberlady in East Lothian.

The obverse has a crowned bust with a sceptre. The Latin inscription translates as: David, by the Grace of God'.

David II was the son of Robert I, 'The Bruce'. His reign saw two major coinage innovations: Scotland's first gold coin - the noble - and the introduction of silver groats and half-groats.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-046-328-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.1992.305
• Date: Between 1351 and 1357
  c. 1351 - 1357
  
• Material: Silver; some flattening; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. DAVID . DEI . GRAC . I .; crowned bust to left with sceptre / Rev. REX / SCO / TOR / VM .; single long cross; 6-pointed mullet in 1st and 3rd angles; other mullets of uncertain form, owing to flatt
  Coin Type: 1st coinage, 2nd issue (?)
  Coin, farthing
  
• Dimensions: 12.00 mm D / Die Axis: 1.0
  
• What: Coin Type: 1st coinage, 2nd issue (?)
  Coin, farthing
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: David II
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, East Lothian, Aberlady, The Glebe
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver farthing of David II, c. 1351 - 1357 (?)
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
• Related Records: