CHAP. I. Of the Med●●● and Coins of Scotland. THere are not many Scotch Coins found on the Borders of the Two Kingdoms, notwithstanding the frequent Conflicts that have happened there: And one great Reason, why they are more rarely met with than the English, is because (as our Edward the Second observed in his (a) J. Major, Hist. lib. 5. cap. 5. Speech) the Kings of Scotland used not, in old Time, to pay their Armies, but every Man followed at his own Expense, and carried his own Provisions. He that wrote the short Catalogue of the King's prefixed to H. Boethius' History (I speak thus doubtingly of it, because it could not be written by that Historian himself, since it concludes with Queen Mary's two Husbands) affirms roundly that there was not coined Money in the Days of K. Reutha; but that all manner of Payments, of Wages or Prices, were made in Corn or Beef. In the (b) H. Both. lib. 2. fol. 10. a. History itself this King is said to have ordered the Salaries of Men of different Professions in a certain and critical manner; so as that a Counsellor at Law was to have the Ox's Tongue, the Physician two Ribs out of each of his sides, etc. Bishop (c) Hist. Scot lib. ●. p. 8●. Lesley indeed reports this matter much otherwise; and assures us that King Reutha coined Money of Leather, Numum ex corio bubulo cudi jussit: But, long after this, the brigants are (d) H. Both. lib. 3. fol. 46. a. said to have been Strangers to the Use of any sort of Coin, their whole Treasure (in aractacus' Reign being in re pecuaria, in their Stocks of Cattle. Picts. We are told that (e) H. Both. Lib. 10. fol. 194. a. Brudus King of the Picts, sent a considerable Sum [missa ad eum ingenti pecuniae vi] to the Saxon King Edwine, as his Stipendiary against the Scots: But, whether this was of his own or some foreign Coin, we are not informed. K. Donald. 'Tis probable enough that some sort of coined Money they had, even long before that Time, if their Neighbours the Scots were made acquainted with the Thing as early as K. Donald the First's Days. And so says (f) Id. Lib. 5. fol. 86. b. Lesl. lib. 2. p. 109. and Buchanan (Lib. 6. p. m. 175.) says Sterling-Money was first coined by Donald the Fifth about the middle of the Ninth Century. H. Boethius, whose very expressions are mostly transcribed by the following Historians, and are these: Donaldus, primus omnium Scotorum Regum, ut in Nostris Annalibus proditum est memoriae, Nummum Argenteum Aureumque signavit, una parte salutiferae Crucis, altera sui ipsius Effigie expressa, quo suscepta a se primum inter Scotos Reges Christianae pietatis memoriam ad posteros propagaret. Enimvero Nostrates antea aut nulla pecunia signata, sed ejus loco Mercibus Commmutationis Causa, aut Romana aut Britannica, in Commerciis utebantur. He proves the latter part of this Story from great Quantities of Roman Money found in Fife and other Parts of the Kingdom; but his Authorities for the rest, which is of chief Concern to us are omitted. Malcolm TWO I do not much doubt but that these Parts of Great Britain have all along maintained their Commerce (and may they ever continue to do so!) in the same Methods and Fashion with those that are more Southern: So that the Value of Money, and the Prices of Goods, have generally been at a par amongst the several Nations which anciently inhabited this Island. An early Instance we have of this in the (g) LL. Malc. 2. capp. 3.7, 8. Laws of King Malcolm the Second, wherein a Colpindach (or young Heifer) is valued at Thirty Pence; the very same Price which is set on an Ox in some of our (h) Vid. L L. ASS. Edit. Wheloc. p. 95. Saxon Laws, which are supposed to have been Enacted about the same Time. CHAP. II. Of the Scottish Gold Coins. HOW long the Scots have coined Gold is very uncertain; tho', I think, we may (in the Gross) venture to affirm that they hardly did it before the English: And we have elsewhere ascribed the Beginning of the Matter there to K. Edward the Third. What the (i) H. Both. lib. 3. fol. 35. a. Nummus Aureus was which Macolm Camnoir appointed to be paid in Lieu of that obscene Privilege given to the Grandees of Scotland by Euenus the Third, upon the Marriage of their Tenants and Vassals, I cannot certainly tell; tho' my Author says 'twas of the same kind with what (in his own Time) was well enough known by the Name of Marcheta. Dimidiata Argenti Marca is the Expression he (k) Id. lib. 12. fol. 260. a. Vid. & Reg. Majest. lib. 4. cap. 31. elsewhere uses; and I suppose this may suit the Thing better than Nummus Aureus.. The five last Chapters in the Regiam Majestatem are observed to be of a suspected Authority; or, otherwise, we might seem to have a pretty good Evidence of K. David the Firsts coining of Gold: For thus runs one of the Laws, (l) Reg. Majest. lib. 4. cap. 40. v. 7. Pro Vulnere in fancy vulnerans dabit unam peciam Auri, videlicet, unam Imaginem Auri. These are all Uncertainties. Before we enter upon the Times wherein we have better Light, it will be convenient to to observe two Things to the Reader: 1. That the Proportion betwixt Gold and Silver, in the Kingdom of Scotland, has usually been as One to Twelve; so that when the Ounce of Gold was at three Pounds, the Ounce of Silver went at five Shillings, etc. This is more particularly cleared in a Manuscript Note of (m) Penes D. Rob. Sibbald. Sir James Balfour's, which he had called Prysses of the Cunzie in the hail time of Ja. 1. Ja. 2. Ja. 3. Ja 4. Ja. 5. and Queine Mary. A. D. 1437. (says that Note) K. James the First at his Death, had a Standard equal to that of England: Silver was at 5 s. (Scots) the Ounce, and Gold at 3 l. A. D. 1440. K. James the Second raised Silver to 8 s. the Ounce; and Gold to 4 l. 19 s. A. D. 1466. James the Third raised the Silver (first) to 10 s. 8 d. and the Gold to 5 l. 12 s. afterwards he again mounted the Ounce of Silver to 12 s. in November, 1475. but (in February 1483.) he reduced it to 11 s. 8 d. The Gold he advanced to 6 l. A. D. 1489. James the Fourth kept both at the last mentioned Value. There are no remaining Acts of Council, concerning Coinage, in K. James the Fifth's Time; tho' great Alterations were made in that Reign. The Douglas-Groats (of 10 d. fine) and Babies (of 3 d. fine) were then brought in use; as were likewise the Bonnet-pieces of Gold. He left the Ounce of Silver at 19 s. 9 d. and Gold at 12 l. A. D. 1542. In Q. Mary's time the Ounce of Silver risen to 30 s. and she coined placs (of only 2 d. fine) at 4 l. 16 s. the Ounce 2. Another Thing whereof I am to admonish the Reader is, that he will find the Weight of the Gold and Silver (in the following Account of the Coins of both Metals) computed by different Standards. In the former is observed that of the Goldsmiths of Edinburgh; who divide their Ounce into sixteen Drops, and their Drop into 36 Grains, 27 of their Grains making our Pennyweight. In weighing of the Silver Coins, I have kept to our common English Weights; by Ounces, Penny-weights and Grains. The Reason of this Difference, is, because all the Golden Coins are now in the Possession of (my worthy and communicative Friend) Mr. James Southerland; who was pleased nicely to examine their several Weights by the Standard of his own Country. Most of the Silver-pieces are in the Hands of the most Reverend Father in GOD, the present Lord Archbishop of York; and his Grace, among the many generous Acts of Favour which I have had from him, has kindly obliged me with his own most learned and curious Remarks upon 'em. These two Things premised, I begin the Scottish Coins in Gold. These, as I take it, K. Rob. II. cannot be carried higher than the Sovereignty of the Royal Family of the Stewarts; the eldest Golden Coin of Scotland seeming to be no older than the Reign of K. Robert the Second. To this Prince, I suppose, belong the Three following: 1. The Scotch Lion within a Shield crowned, a small Circle about the Shield, and Robertus Dei Gracia Rex Scot Rev. St. Andrew on the Cross, betwixt two Flower-de-Lys's, with Dns. Protector MS. & Libera. Weight 1 Dr. 9 Gr. 2. Another differs only in the Words Liberato and Scoto, and the Weight is but 1 Dr. 3. The Scotch Lion in a Shield not crowned. Robertus Dei G. Rex Sco. R. St. Andrew's Cross, with two Flower-de-Lys and two Trefoils. Dns. Protector MS. W. 20 Gr. The five next I guess to belong to Robert the Third; Rob. III since they carry a Motto, on the Reverse, which was not (I think) more early in this Isle. K. Henry the Fifth was the first that bore it in England. 'Tis true (n) Traite Historique des Monnoyes de France. 4to. Amsterd 1692. 54. Le Blanc gives this Motto on a Coin which he ascribes to K. Lewis the VII. which would carry the Antiquity of an Inscription somewhat higher: But he that curiously examines that Coin will find the Shield of the Royal Arms enclosed in a Rose not used in England before Edward the Third's Time: And, if the Fashions of Money were brought from France hither (as perhaps every Body will allow) yet I think all agree that we followed their Example pretty early, as the Scots did ours. So that it may be worth the considering anew, whether this Coin be truly so old as Le Blanc puts it. 1. The Scotch Lion within a Shield crowned, Robertus Dei Gra. Rex Scotorum. R. St. Andrew stretched upon his Cross, XPC. Regnat. XPC. Vincit. XPC. imp. W. 2 Dr. 2. Different only from the former in Robertus Dei Gratia Rex Sco. W. 1 Dr. 4 Gr. 3. The Shield not crowned, Robertus Dei G. Rex Scoto. R. as above. W. 1 Dr. 4. The Shield as before, Robertus Rex Scotorum. The Reverse the same with the two last mentioned. W. 34 Gr. 5. About the Shield (not crowned) a Garniture somewhat representing a Rose, Robertus Dei Gratia Rex co. R. as before. W. 34 Gr. A 6th without co. James I. King James the First may probably challenge the two next, being of a near Resemblance to some of those of his immediate Predecessor. 1. The Scotch Lion in a Shield crowned, betwixt two Flower-de-Lys's, Jacobus Dei Gra. Rex Scotorum. R. St. Andrew stretched on the Cross, XPC. Regnat. etc. W. 1 Dr. 24 Gr. 2. A small Crown on each Side of the Shield, Jacobus D. Gratia Rex Scotor. R. The Flower-de-Lys's not crowned as in the former, Salvum fac populum tuum. W. 1 Dr. 24 Gr. In the Fourteenth Year of King (o) Parl. 8. Ja. 2. cap. 33. Oct. 25. 1451. James the Second, James II. it was enacted in Parliament, That there should be stricken a new Penny in Gold, called a Lion, with the Print of the Lion on th' ane Side, and the Image of St. Andrew on the other Side, with a side Coat even to his Foot, halding the samin Weight of the Half English Noble. This was to go at 6 s. 8 d. and its Half at 3 s. 4 d. exactly at the same Rates with the Demy and Half Demy. Afterwards, in his (p) Parl. 13. cap. 29. Oct. 19: 1455. Eighteenth Year, the Demy and new Lion were ordered to go at 10 s. Of one Sort or other of these are the six following. 1. The Scotch Shield crowned, with a crowned Flower-de-Lys on each Side, and Jacobus Dei Gracia Rex Sco. R. St. Andrew as above, Salvum fac Pplum. W. 27 Gr. 2. The Flower-de-Lys's on the Sides of the Shield not crowned, Jacobus Dei Gra. Rex Scotorum. R. St. Andrew on the Cross, with Flowers uncrowned, Salvum fac Pplum Domine. W. 27 Gr. 3. St. Andrew carrying his Cross, Jacobus Dei Gratia Rex Sco. R. The Lion in a Shield crowned, Salvum fac Populum tuum Domine. W. 1 Dr. 20 Gr. 4. The Lion within a Shield in Form of a Lozenge, with a small Crown over it, Jacobus Dei Gratia Rex Sc. R. A small St. Andrew's Cross betwixt two small Flower-de-Lys's, within a pretty hexagonal Star, each Point ending in a Flower-de-Lys, with a small Rose betwixt every two Points, Salvum fac Populum tuum Do. W. 1 Dr. 27 Gr. 5. A Piece of the same Size and Stamp with the last mentioned. W. 1 Dr. 18 Gr. 6. Another of the same Stamp, but somewhat smaller Size. W. 30 Gr. James III. James the Third, in his (q) Oct. 12. 1467. cap. 18. third Parliament, ordered the Demy and Lion to be raised to 12 s. but, in the (r) Parl. 4: cap. 23. next he held, which happened to be within a very few Months, they both returned to their old Value of 10 s. In his (s) Nou. 20. 1475. cap. 67. Eighth, the Demy is set at 13 s. 4 d. and the Scots Crown (which, I imagine, is only another Name for the Lion) at 13. In his (t) Feb. 24. 1483. cap. 93. Thirteenth, a fine Penny of Gold is ordered to be stricken of the Weight and Fineness of the Rose-Noble, which is to pass at the Value of 30 new Groats, of ten in the Ounce of fine Silver. Another Penny of Gold, of the same Inscription, to go for 20 Groats; and a third for 10. Of the two latter Kind's, I suppose, are these two: 1. An Unicorn holding a Shield with the Scotch Lion, a small St. Andrew's Cross under the Unicorn's Feet, and Jacobus Dei Gra. Rex Scotorum. R. A Cross Flory, charged with a great blazing Star, Exurgat De. & dissipent. Nimici ej. W. 2 Dr. 2. A Piece of the same Stamp, but smaller Size. W. 33 Gr. James IU. James the Fourth, in his very (u) A. D. 1488. Parl. 1. Jac. 4. cap. a. Vide & Ejusd. Parl. 4. cap: 40. first Year, coined Money (both of Gold and Silver) of the same Weight and Fineness with that of his Father; and some of 'em seem to have carried the very same Impression. The following four may probably belong to this King: 1. One exactly stamped as those two are which we have allotted to the foregoing Reign, varying only the first Legend thus: Jacobus 4. Dei Gra. Rex Scotorum. W. 2 Dr. 2. The King on Horseback in Armour holding a Sword, circumscribed Jacobus Dei Gra. Rex Scotor. R. The Scotch Lion in a Shield crowned, with a great Cross reaching the outer Ring of the Piece, Salvum fac populum tuum Domine. W. 2 Dr. 18 Gr. 3. The same with the former, saving that the Legends are transposed. Jacobus, etc. being about the Shield. W. 1 Dr. 18 Gr. 4. A lesser Piece of the same Stamp with the last. W. 22 Gr. In the old (x) 8vo Antverp. 1575. Ordinance of the King of Spain, there's a Piece (called the Croone van Schotlandt) which seems to be of this King's coining. It bears the Shield of Scotland crowned, and Jacobus Dei Gra. Rex Scotorum FOUR R. St. Andrew on the Cross, and Salvum fac populum tuum Domine. It's Weight is set at 2 Dr. 16 Gr. Betwixt this King and his Son (and Successor) King James the Fifth, we ought to place a Noble Medal in Gold, J. Duke of Albany. struck by John Duke of Albany the great Governor of Scotland in the young King's Minority. It bears the Duke and Duchess' Arms in a Shield crowned with a Ducal Crown, a large Cross throughout the Field, and Joannis Albaniae Duc. Gubern. R. A Dove spreading her Wings on the Top of another Shield with the Duke's own Coat of Arms, 1524. and circumscribed Sub Umbra Tuarum. Weight 7 Dr. There are also some Pieces of James the Fifth himself, James V. which seem to be of the Medal-kind, rather than intended for an ordinary current Coin. Such I take the three following to be: 1. A massy one (as broad as a new English Half-crown, and very thick) bearing the Scotch Shield crowned betwixt two small Crosses, with Jacobus 5. Dei Gra. Rex Scotorum. R. A Cross Floree, with, with four Thistle-heads, inscribed Crucis Arma sequamur. W. 1 Ounce. 2 Dr. 30 Gr. 2. A smaller of the same Stamp with the former. W. 1 Dr. 24 Gr. 3. The King in Bust, crowned, Jacobus 5. Dei Gra. Rex Scotor. R. The Scotch Lyion in a Shield not crowned, with a large Cross through it, inscribed Villa Edinbrugh. W. 7 Dr. 27 Gr. Indeed the common Golden Coins of this Reign (well known by the Name of Bonnet-pieces, and said to have been coined out of Gold found in the Kingdom of Scotland) are extremely beautiful, and little inferior to the finest Medals. Of these they have the four following: 1. The King in Bust, with a Scotch Bonnet on his Head, Jacobus 5. Dei G. R. Scotorum, 1539. R. The Scotch Shield crowned, Honour Regis Judicium diligit. W. 3 Dr. 2. The same exactly, 1540 3. Another, a Third less, 1540 W. 2 Dr. 4. Half of the last mentioned, 1540 W. 1 Dr. The same Year with the first of these, there was another Piece coined, of the same Weight and Size with the Bonnet, carrying the Scotch Shield crowned and encircled with a Chain of Thistle-heads; the Inscription, JACOBUS 5. DEI G. R. SCOTORV. 1539. R. A large St. Andrew's Cross, charged with a Crown betwixt I and R, in the upper Quarter a Thistle-head, and in the lower a Flower-de-Lys, inscribed, HONOUR REGIS JUDICIUM DILIGIT. 'Tis a curious Rarity; and very lately communicated to me by Mr. Sutherland. Q. Marry Queen Mary's Life (in all the several Stages of it) was so full of wonderful Circumstances, that no Reign afforded more copious Matter for Medals than hers; and yet I have seen none in Gold that respects her History. Mr. Sutherland indeed informs me, that he has seen one with the same Stamp of the first of her Coins, exactly of the Weight with the first mentioned Medals of her Father: Which I take to have been struck (as his also probably was) at the first opening of her Mint. Her ordinary Coins, in that Metal, are these: 1. The Scotch Shield crowned, betwixt two Stars, with Maria Dei Gra. Regina Scotorum. R. A Cross Flory, with a Thistle-head in each Quarter, and Crucis Arma sequamur. W. 1 Dr. 24 Gr. 2. The Shield as above, Maria D. G. R. Scotorum, 1543. R. MR. with a Crown above, and a Star below, Ecce Ancilla Domini. W. 1 Dr. 16 Gr. 3. The Shield crowned betwixt the Letters J. and G. Maria D. G. Scotorum Regina. R. A cipher including all the Letters of Maria Regina, with a Crown above and a Star on each side, Diligite Justitiam, 1553. W. 2 Dr. 18 Gr. The Letters I and G. show James Earl of Murray to have been Governor when the Piece was coined. 4. Half of the same. W. 1 Dr. 9 Gr. 5. The Queen's Effigies, with her Head in Dress, Maria D. G. Scotorum Regina. R. The Scotch Shield crowned, Justus fide vivit, 1555. W. 4 Dr. 6, 7. Two more, of the same Stamp and Weight, coined in the Years 1557 and 1558. 8. Half of the forementioned, of the same Stamp, coined in 1555. W. 1 Dr. 32 Gr. 9, 10. Two more, of the Weight, etc. last mentioned, coined in 1557 and 1558. 11. Francis and Mary, Face to Face, with a large Crown above their Heads, Fran. & Ma. D. G. R. R. Scotor. Delphin. Vien. R. Four Pair of Dolphins linked together and crowned, a Cross of Lorraine betwixt every two Pair, and a St. Andrew's Cross in the middle, Horum tuta fides, 1558. W. 4 Dr. James VI. The largest and most valuable of King James the Sixth's Golden Coins, is the Rose-Noble of Scotland, of the same Weight with that of England. On the one Side are the Arms of Scotland crowned, in a Ship with two Flags, betwixt the Letter I and the Figure 6, with a Rose on one Side of the Ship, Jacobus 6. Dei Gra. Rex Scotorum. R. Two Sceptres or Batoons, put in the Form of a St. Andrew's Cross, each End of 'em crowned; in the Quarters of which are four Lions Rampant crowned. All this is in a large Rose, between every Leaf whereof there's a Thistle; as there is also in the centre of the Cross. The Legend, Florent Sceptra Piis. Regna his Jova dat numerari. W. 4 Dr. I call this the largest of that King's Golden Coins; because I reckon the four following (all of that Metal) to be properly Medals. 1. The King in Bust, crowned, holding a Sword in one Hand, and an Olive-branch in the other, beneath which In utrumque paratus, 1575. Circumscribed, Jacobus 6. Dei Gra. Rex Scotor. R. The Scotch Shield crowned, Parcere subjectis & debellare superbos. W. 1 Ounce. 2. Another of the same Stamp, Size and Weight, struck in 1576. 3. The King's Effigies laureate, Jacobus 6. D. G. R. Scotorum. R. A branched Thistle with six Heads (the uppermost crowned) betwixt the two Letters of I and R both crowned, under the Thistle the Figure 6. Nemo me impune lacesset, 1590. W. 1 Ounce. 4. The King and Queen with a Crown above their Heads, Jacobus 6. & Anna D. G. Scotorum Rex & Regina. R. The whole Arms and Achievement of the Kingdom of Scotland. In Defence. W. 2 Oun. 12 Dr. The other (more ordinary and current) Golden Coins of this Reign, are: 1. The King bareheaded, Jacobus 6. Dei Gra. Ren Scotorum. R. The Scotch Shield crowned betwixt 15 and 80. Exurgat Deus, & dissip. Inimici ejus. W. 3 Dr. 2. I R with a Crown above, placed four times in the Field, crosswise, with the Letter S in the Centre, Deus Judicium tuum Regi da. 1 88 R. The Scottish Crest, being a Lion crowned holding a Sword and Sceptre, Post 5. & 100▪ Proa. Invicta manent has. W. 2 Dr. 18 Gr. 3. Half of this, coined in 1584. W. 1 Dr. 27 Gr. 4. Another of the like, coined in 1587. W. 1 Dr. 21 Gr. 5. A Quarter of the same, 1584., W. 27 Gr. 6. The King in a strange Cap, behind a Thistle-head, Jacobus 6. D. G. R. Scotorum. R. A. Lion crowned, holding up a Sceptre to the Clouds, in which are the Hebrew Letters of Jehovah, Te solum Vereor, 1591. W. 2 Dr. 9 Gr. 7. Another of the same Size, Weight and Stamp, coined in 1593. 8. The King on Horseback, in Armour, under his Horse 1593. Jacobus 6. D. G. R. Scotorum, R. The Scotch Shield crowned, Spero Meliora. W. 2 Dr. 18 Gr. This is what (in the Dutch Books of Ordinances for Money, and elsewhere) is called the Scotch Rider; and was long the most common Gold Coin of this Country, Pieces of the same Weight, Impression, etc. with this (as likewise half of the same) having been coined in 1594, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 1600 and 1601. To these the Statute of his Fifteenth (a) Dec. 19, 1597. cap. 249. Parliament refers, which ordains, That fine Gold (of 22 Carats fine) pass at 30 l. the Ounce; and that, out of every such Ounce, there be coined six Five-pound-pieces, or twelve Fifty-shilling-pieces. 9 The Scotch Shield crowned, Jacobus 6. D. G. R. Scotorum. R. A Sword and Sceptre placed crosswise. In the upper Quarter, a Crown, a Thistle-head in each of the next, and 1601 in the lowest Salus Populi Suprema Lex. W. 2 Dr. 18 Gr. Tho' this Piece (commonly called the Scotch Angel) be of the same Weight and intrinsic Value with the Former, yet it was coined to go at 6 l. the Value of Silver being now risen from 50 s. to 60 s. by the Ounce; which of Necessity, enhanced the Rate of Gold in the like Proportion. 10. The Half of these (W. 1 Dr. 9 Gr.) carrying the same Impression. This was the last Gold coined before the happy Union of the Crowns in King James VI and we are not (for the Present) to bring our Inquiries any lower. I have seen an (b) MS. in Bibl. ICC. Edinb. Extract of the Register of the Mint, from December 1601, to December 1602, whereby it appears, That there was that Year coined at Edinburgh 119 Stone of Gold and 986 Stone of Silver. I have also read, That in the (c) In Atchison's MS. Tr. of Metals. Beginning of this King's Reign, a golden Basin (of the Contents of four English Quarts) was presented by the Regent Morton to the French King, filled with coined Pieces of Gold called Unicorns; both the Money and the Vessel being made of the native Gold of Scotland. Such Pieces I never saw. To one that considers how few English Coins we have of about Half a Score of our Kings next after the Conquest, it. Silver. will not look strange that the Silver-money of our neighbouring Kingdom (of the like Age) is not now very plentiful The oldest that even Mr. Sutherland himself has been hitherto able to discover, is a Penny of Alexander the First's; which yet (he is not very sure, but it) may belong to one of the other two Princes of that Name. For the better and more skilful distinguishing the ancient Silver Coins of Scotland, these Preliminary Cautions (which I have from a very (d) RR. D, D. Archiep. Ebor. great Hand) will be found to be of mighty Use. 1. The Merchant's Weights in Scotland are different from ours, sixteen Pounds Troy (as several Acts of Parliament have provided) going to the Stone, and every such Pound being divided into sixteen Ounces: But their Silver-weights are the same, their Ounce-pieces exactly agreeing with ours. How their Standard (or the Fineness of the Metal) has varied from ours, or agreed with it, will be observed in the several Reigns below. 2. The Sums by which the Scots always computed, and do still compute, are the same with ours, they reckoning by Farthings, Halfpences, Pence, Shillings, Marks and Pounds, as we do; and all those Sums bearing the same Proportion to one another, as ours do; That is, a Shilling contains twelve Pennies, a Mark thirteen Shillings and four Pence, a Pound twenty Shilling, etc. But there has been a great Difference in the two Nations (at several Seasons as to the value of those Sums. At first, perhaps, the Scotch Pieces being of the same Weight and Denomination with the English) might also be current at the same Rate with ours: But from the Beginning of King James the First's Reign (which is as high as their printed Statutes will carry us) it was otherwise; and the Difference increased in the following Reigns, as will appear presently. 3. There's no doubt but that, for a long Time, the coined Pieces of Silver in Scotland (as well as England) were only Pence and Halfpences: After which came in Groats and Half-groats; and, by Degrees, larger Pieces of even an Ounce, two Thirds of an Ounce, etc. David I. I have a small Pieee which I take to be a Halfpenny of David the First's: It weighs 14 Grains; which seems to come very near the Standard of that Time: For thus (if the Authority be good) the Matter stands adjusted, (e) Assis. R. Dau. 1. cap. 1. Sterlingus debet ponderare, 32 Gr. Uncia, 21 d. Libra, 26 s. 4 d. It bears a clumsy Half-face, Crown and Sceptre, and David Dei Gratia· And the Reverse has Rex Scoturum about four hexagonal Stars. The Regiam Majestatem, if any thing, will acquaint us with the Value of such a Piece; when (f) Reg. Majest, Lib. 4. cap. 40. v. 17, twenty five Shillings were the Price of six Cows, and (g) LL. Burg. cap. 121. four Pence the Worth of a Pair of Shoes. In William the First's Reign, William I. Money seems to have been pretty plentiful; since the Nobility of Scotland agreed to pay a (h) H. Both. lib. 13. Fol. 272. b. Hundred thousand Pound Sterling (whereof half was to be in ready Cash) to our Henry the Second, for the Redemption of that Prince. Nor had this so far exhausted the public Treasure, but that he was able (not long after) to lend Two (i) Ibid. Fol. 277. a. thousand Marks to Richard the Third, on his Return (in Poverty and Thraldom) from the Holy Land. Notwithstanding his great Glut of Money, which he appears to have been Master of, there are not many of his Pence to be met with at this Day. In some of the best (k) Penes RR. D. D. Archiep. Ebor. & D. R. Ihoresbi. Collections of our English Coins, there's one (which has been supposed to belong to either the Conqueror or his Son Rufus) that bears a Side-face and a Sceptre; and whereon the King looks finer, and younger, than on any of the rest. This, with humble Submission, I should rather place amongst the Coins of Scotland; and guess to belong to King William the First of that Kingdom. Two more I have (k) p. D. Ja. Sutherland. seen, which may possibly belong to this King: The one has Le Rey Willem, the other Willelmus Rex, and both have Walter for the Coiner's Name on the Reverse, after which (on one) comes On Ber. which whether it be for Berwick or Perth (sometimes called Bertha) will need an Enquiry. That there was Money coined in his Reign, is pretty plainly asserted by the Chronicle of Mailros: * Chron. Melross. ad An. 1195. Willielmus Rex Scotorum innovavit monetam suam. In Alexander the (m) Stat. Gild. capp. 18.24, 26. Third's Time, Alex. III▪ a good Horse for the War was valued at twenty Shillings; a whole Carcase of Mutton, the highest Rate sixteen Pence, and the lowest eight Pence; a Flagon of Beer (better and worse) Twopences and a Penny. A Couple of these Pennies, of the very same Impression, Size and Weight, I have in my small Collection; bearing the King's Head, half-faced, with a Sceptre, and Alexander Dei Gra. On the Reverse, Rex Scotorum about four hexagonal Mullets, or Stars. W. 21 Gr. Half of the same. K. John. King John's is likewise Half-faced, with a Crown and Sceptre, and Johannis Dei Gra. R. Rex Scotorum, etc. as before: And the Weight the same. His Halfpenny weighs 9 Gr. Half of the same. Rob. I. Money, of some sort or other, could not be very scarce in the Reign of Robert the Bruce; who (n) H. Both. lib. 14. fol. 308. b. agreed to pay our Edward the Third 30000 Marks in ready Money: And (o) Hist. Scot lib. 7. p. 237. Lesly assures us the Marks were Sterling. His Penny, (p) P. D. J. Sutherland. Halfpenny and Farthing, are to be seen: Much of the some Shape with those of his Predecessors. Robertus Dei Gra. R. Rex Scotorum. David TWO In the Year 1366. (the latter End of David the Second Reign) it was (q) Vid. Stat. Dau. 2. cap. 38. & 46. Enacted in Parliament that the Money should be equal in Goodness to that of England; and the next Year the Coinage was further regulated, a Pound of fine Silver making 29 s. 4 d. Et fiat, says the Statute, in ipsa Signum Notabile, per quod possit ab omni alia prius fabricata evidenter cognosci. I think he was the first King of Scotlond that coined Groats. They give him crowned and side-faced, with a Sceptre erect, and David Dei Gratia Rex Scotorum. R. Dns' Protector MS. & Liberator MS. on an outer Circle; and Villa Edinburgh, about four Mullets, in an inner. His half Groat has the same Inscription. W. 1½ Dr. His Penny weighs 14 Gr. and has only Villa Edinburgh on the Reverse. There's (r) p. D. Sutherland. another which has Villa Aberden on the Reverse: And those of Edinburgh have been minted at several Times. There are Half and a Third of these; and Pennies of both Kind's. Robert the Second Groat is much of the same Shape, Rob. II. Weight and Size, with that of his Predecessor. It shows the King half-faced, with a Crown and Sceptre erect, and Robertus Dei Gra· Rex Scotorum. R. Dnus. Protector MS. & Liberator MS. on the outer Circle; and Villa de Perth, about four small Stars, on the inner. Another of 'em has Villa Edinburgh; and a Third Dundee. And I have seen (s) p. Eundem. Halfs of all these. The first open faced Groat is that of Robert the Third. Rob. III. It gives the King's Picture (crowned, but without a Sceptre) in such a kind of Rose as we have on most of our old English Groats. The Inscription is Robertus Dei Gra. Rex Scotorum. On the Reverse are three Globules in each Quarter of the Cross: In the inner Circle Villa Edinburgh, and on the outer, Dnus Protector MS. & Liberator MS. W. 1½ Dr. 7 Gr. Mr. Sutherland has three other Varieties with Villa de Perth, Villa de Aberd... and Villa Dumbertan; and the Half of the first of these, and those of Villa Edinburgh, as likewise Pennies of both kinds, and Villa de Aberde— In the first Year of King James the First's Reign 'twas enacted that (t) Parl. 1 Jac. 1. cap. 23. Mar. 26. 1424. our Lord the King gar mend his Money, James I. and gar strike it in like Wecht and Fineness to the Money of England. A little before this, the States of the Kingdom had agreed to (u) H. Both. lib. 17. Fol. 346. pay (to our K. Henry the Sixth) the Sum of 100000 Marks, for this King's Ransom; whereof 50000 were to be paid in ready Money. These (tho' of such a Standard as then passed for (x) Vid. Lesl. Hist. Scot lib. 7. cap. 261. Sterling) might probably be found to carry too great an Alloy, when they came to be tendered in England; and this might, as probably, give Occasion for the forementioned Statute. His Groat is full-faced, with Crown and Sceptre, and Jacobus Dei Gracia Rex Scot R. In the Quarters of the Cross are two Flower-de-Lis's and twice three little Balls (or Globuli) countercharged within an inner Circle bearing Villa Edinburgh, and an outer with Dnus Protector MS, etc. There's (y) p: RR: D: D: Archiep: Ebor. another (which I take to belong likewise to this King, and to be of somewhat more Age than the former) whereon the Inscription is Jacobus Dei Gra. Rex-Scotorum; and its Reverse, in all Points, agrees with that of Robert the Third. The Weight of the former is 1 Dr. 9 Gr. and, of this, 1 Dr. 4½ Gr. There are (z) p: M: I: Sutherland. others coined at Perth, Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Stirling; with the Half of that of Edinburgh. James II. The Parliament, in the 4th Year of K. James the Second, thought it expedient, (a) Parl: 8: Ja: 2: cap: 33: Oct: 25: 1451. for divers Causes, that there be stricken new Money, conform even in Weight to the Money of England, with the quilk this Realm hes part of Commoning: And that there be stricken of the Ounce of burnt Silver, or Bulzeon of that Fines, aucht Groats; and of the samin mater and weight, as Effeiris, Half-groat, Penny, Halfpenny and Farthing. In his (b) Parl: 13: Ja: 2: cap: 29: Oct: 19: 1455. Eighteenth Year this New Groat is ordered to go for Twelve Pennies; and the Sixpenny Groat (which appears to have been of a scandalously base Alloy, because the Mint-Masters are forbidden, on pain of Death, to coin any more of 'em) is ordained till have Course as it hes. What Value that was, its very Name sufficiently shows; and I take this to be the same Piece which (in the (c) Parl: 1: Ja: 3: cap: 23. next Reign) is called the Sex-Penny-Groat of the Flower de Luce. This raising of their New Groat (which was of the very same Weight and Fineness with the English Groat) brought the Computation of the Sums in Scotland to Triple what they bore in England: So that their Pound was no more than our Noble, their Shilling than our Groat or Four Pence, etc. The said Groat gives this King full-faced, with an Imperial Crown, and Jacobus Dei Gra. Rex Scot R. Dnus. Protector, etc. on an outer Circle, and Villa Edinburgh (about two Crowns intercharged with twice three little Balls and a small Annulet) on the inner. W. 2 Dr. Half of this. Another (of the Groats) has Villa (d) p. D. J. Sutherland. Aberdie, on its Reverse. The first Parliament of K. James the Third ordains that (e) Oct. 9 1466. cap. 9 , James III. for the Ease and Sustentation of the King's Liege's and almous Deed to be done to poor Folk, there be cvinzied (f) Mr. Sutherland has Samples of these and some (of the like Kind's) in the following Reigns. Copper Money, four to the Penny, havand on th' ane Part the Croce of S. Andrew, and the Crown on th' other Part; with Subscription of Edinburgh on the ane Part, and an R. with James on th' other Part. [These are the same Pieces which were continued by his Successors, and (in the Reign of Ja. VI) got the Name of Atchesons from one Atcheson a Coiner and Author of the Book of Metals mentioned in the first Chapter of this Historical Library: Some of which were of common Currency (for four Bothwels, or Eight Pennies Scotch) even in the late Reign of K. Charles the Second, but are now wholly disused.] In his (g) Parl. 3. Ja. 3. Oct. 12. 1467. cap. 18. Third Parliament the Groat of the Crown is ordered to have Course for Fourteen Pennies; and the striking of the Black Pennies to be ceased. These Black Pennies were a different Sort of Money from the Copper-Farthings abovementioned; and were for some Time forced in Payments, till (at last) the People unanimously refused to take them: Upon which the last Earl of Douglas reflecting, made this Answer to the King, when requested (in his extreme old age to be his Lieutenant-General against the Rebels: (h) D. Hume Hist. of Dugl. p. 206. Sir, you have kept me and your black Coffer in Sterlin too long. Neither of us can do you any good. We find it also amongst the Articles objected to his Favourites, by the Earl of Angus and others, that they had persuaded him to (i) Ibid. Par. 2. 226. Vid. etiam Lesl. Hist. Scot lib. 8. p. 309. & J. Ferrer. Append. ad H. Both. Fol. 395. a & G. Buchan. lib. 12. p. m. 444. coin a Brass Coin of no Value, which the People called the Black Coin, which Fact of all other was most odious to the Vulgar: For (as it follows in the History) a great Dearth ensued upon the Project, since every Body chose to let their Corn rather rot than to give it away so much below the intrinsic Value. In the very next Parliament of this Reign, called within a (k) Parl. 4. Ja. 3. in Jan. 1467. cap. 23. few Months of the former, the Groat of the Crown is reduced to 12 d. and the lesser Pieces to proportionable Values. In this King's (l) May, 6. 1471. cap. 46. Sixth Parliament the New allayed Groat is ordered to go for Six Pennies, and the Half-Groat for three: And, in his (m) Nou. 20. 1475. cap. 64. Eighth, Twelve Groats are appointed to be stricken out of an Ounce of burnt Silver, as also Pennies, (to go at 3 d.) and Half-pennies of the same Fineness. In his (n) Feb. 24. 1483. cap. 93. Thirteenth a new Penny of Silver, as fine as the old English Groat, is ordered to be coined; ten whereof are to make an Ounce, and to go at 14 d. each. At the same Time Sergeant Placks, at 2 d. a Piece, were called in. His Groat represents him full-faced and crowned (without a Sceptre) with this Inscription, Jacobus Dei Gra. Rex Scotorum. R. Villa Edinburg. on the inner Circle, about the Crowns and Globuli, as on his Fathers, but without the Annulets; and Dnus. Protector, etc. on the outer. W. 2 Dr. 8 G. The like are (o) p. M. J. Sutherland. coined at Aberdeen, Sterling and Roxburgh; and a Half-Groats at Edinburgh. Some of his Groats and Half-Groats (on the Reverse) has a Mullet in each Quarter of the Cross; and, in the inner Circle, Villa Berwici. In other Points it agrees with the whole Groat. This Piece, being stamped at Berwick, must assuredly belong to this King; who was Master of that Town Twentyone Years, and is the only Prince (of his Name and Nation, before the Union) that ever was so. It appears that, in King James the Fourth's Time, James IU. there were Groats of somewhat different Stamps; as being minted by several Coiners: And the (p) Parl. 1. Ja. 4. A. D. 1488. cap. 2. Act of Parliament particularly mentions those (whereof the last mentioned is half) struck by Gilbert Pish, commonly called Barwick-Groats, others by Alexander Levingstoun, and a third Sort by John courier. These, being all of equal Fineness, were made equally Current. One Groat I have, which I believe to be of this King's own coining. It gives his Face open, and a Crown on his Head, with Jacobus Dei Gra. Rex Scotorum. R. Villa Edinburgh (about two hexagonal Mullets, and twice three Balls, countercharged) on the inner Circle, and Dns Protector MS. etc. on the outer. W. 1 ½ Dw. In the abovementioned Ordnance of the King of Spain I find two more, which are there called Schotsche Stooter; and which one would imagine to be both of this King's coining. The one of these differs very little from that already described; saving that, in the outer Circle on the Reverse, the Legend is Salvum fac Populum tuum Done. The like to which I have seen in Mr. Sutherland's Collection, having (on the other Side) four IIII, and a small Crown after the Word Scotorum: Another (instead of the four IIII) has Q. T. and a third QRA; all signifying the Word Quartus. Half of the first of these, is likewise there. The only Medal (as far as I yet have learned) which was struck by this King, is that which is fairly described and accounted for by the Learned (q) Numism. p. 88 Mr. Evelyn; who observes that it was coined in the last and fatal Year of his Reign. The other gins its first Inscription with Jacobus 4. but the Figure is undoubtedly misprinted for that of of 5, the Piece being the very same which we shall presently present the Reader with, as the proper Groat of the next Reign. James V. King James the Fifth, as far as appears by the Statutes of his Time, made no manner of Alteration in the Standard of the Coin: And yet towards the End of his Reign, or the Beginning of his Daughters, a mighty Change did happen, both in the naming of the Scottish Pieces of Money, and in the Computation of their Sums; as we shall see anon. The eldest of his Coins (Groat and Half-groat) give him Side-faced with Jacobus Dei Gra. Rex Scotorum. R. Cross Floree, two Thistle-heads and two Spur-Rowels (for they are hexagonal and pierced in the Centre) with Villa Edinburgh. His later Groat gives him in Bust, side-faced, with short lank Hair crowned, Jacobus 5. Dei Gra. Rex Scotorum. R. The Scotch Shield on a Cross, circumscribed Oppidum Edinburgi. Others (which seem the elder) have Villa, etc. W. 1 Dr. 18 Gr. Q. Marry. After his Death, we hear no more of any Groats, Half-Groats, Pennies or Half-pennies, coined in Scotland; nor any of their Names so much as once mentioned in any of the subsequent Acts of Parliament. 'Tis (r) Ita. RR. D. D. Archiep. Ebor. supposed that, by this Time, the Price of Silver was so risen (or rather the Scots, like the French, had so raised the Accounts of their Sums) that the old smaller Silver Coins, which took their Denomination from Pennies, grew into disuse; and the Pieces, that were from henceforward coined, took theirs from Shillings and Marks. Thus, in France, the Deniers perished and were forgotten; and the Sols and Livres succeeded in their Room. We do not indeed meet with the Name of Testoons (in the public Statutes of the Realm) before the Beginning of James the Sixth's Reign: But 'tis more than probable that the Name was common enough in his Mother's Time; that the Pieces so called, were coined in Imitation of our English Shillings; and that their current Value was Five Shillings Scotch. Many of these, and other Coins of this Reign, are still to be seen in the Cabinets of the Curious: And I shall give the Reader an Account of such of 'em as have comed to my Knowledge in the same Order wherein they were minted. 1. The eldest of these bears the (s) p. D. Sutherland. Queen side-faced and crowned with Maria Dei Gra. R. Scotorum. R. The Shield of Scotland crowned betwixt two Mullets, and Da pacem Domine, 1553. The Second bears the Letter M. crowned and supported with two crowned Thistles, inscribed Maria Dei G. Scotorum Regina, 1555. R. The Scotch Shield on a Cross, circumscribed Deliciae Domini Cor bumile. W. 5 Dr. 3 Gr. Half of the same. 2. Another of the same Year carries her Head with Maria Dei G. Scotor. Regina. R. A crowned Shield, and Justus fide vivit, 1555. W. 3 Dr. 13 Gr. 3. The Scotch Shield, supported by the Letters M and R, Maria Dei G. Scotor. Regina, 1556. R. A large Cross, with Four less in its Quarters, Virtute tua libera me. W. 4 Dr. 4 Gr. 4. The Half of this, of the same Year, etc. 5. Differs nothing from the Third, excepting in its Weight and Date; for 'tis said to be coined in 1558, and weighs only 3 Dr. 20 Gr. 6. F and M in a cipher crowned, supported with double Crosslets, Fecit utraque unum, 1558. R. The Arms of the Dauphine and Scotland, with Franciscus & Mar. D. G. R. R. Scotor. D. D. Vien. W. 4 Dr. 2 Gr. Immediately upon the Death of Queen Mary of England (this Year) King Henry the Second of France (t) Lesl. Hist. Sot. lib. 10. p. 503. caused his Daughter-in-Law to be declared Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland, in the Parliament of Paris; and ordered the Arms of England to be put on all her Plate, Tapestry, etc. It should seem that this was her common Style ever after, till the Treaty of Leith cut her short; For thus runs the first (u) Lesl. Hist. Scot p. 528. Article there: Ut nec Franciae Rex, nec ipsius Conjunx Scotiae Regina, Angliae Hiberniaeve Titulos sibi deinceps usurparent; Insignia Anglicana ex tota sua suppellectile delerent; Diplomata, in quibus Titulus Angliae & Hiberniae Ipsis tribuebatur, supprimi. curarent. 'Tis much that, in all this Time, none of their Money bore the Arms and Title of England, and yet I never saw nor read of any that did. 'Tis true, Mr. Evelyn (x) Numism. 93. mentions her assuming the Arms of England and Scotland in a Medal; but that which he has given us, and which he seems to think concerns the Story of our renowned Queen Elizabeth, has not a Stroke in it which looks this Way. The Queen indeed pleaded for (y) Archb. Spotsey. Hist. of Ch. of Scotl. lib. 4. p. 177. herself, afterwards, that she was constrained to this Usurpation by her Husband and Father-in-Law; and that, after their Death, she never practised any such Matter: And so, I suppose, her suffering a Medal to be struck (in the Year 1560) is to be accounted for. On this we have the Arms of France, Scotland and England, quarterly, circumscribed Maria D. G. Francorum Scotorum Reg. etc. On the Reverse, two Crowns on a Level, with a Third in the Clouds, inscribed Altamque Moratur 1566. 7. Another of the same Weight, Stamp, etc. with the last; but coined in 1559. One of the Articles wherewith the Lords of the Congregation (this very Year) charged the Queen-Regent, was, (z) B. Burnet, Hist. of Reform. Vol. 2. p. 412. that she had embased the Coin to maintain her [French] Soldier. The last mentioned is not referred to in this Charge, but some (a) p. ●. Sutherland. base Pieces, and smaller; which carry the cipher crowned, etc. but the Reverse has this Inscription on a Square, Jam non sunt duo sed una caro, 1558 and 1559. 8. Arms of France and Scotland crowned, on a Cross Crosslet, Fra. & Ma. D. G. R. R. Franc. Scotor. q. R. F and M in a cipher crowned, supported by a Flower-de-Lys and Thistle crowned, Vicit Leo de Tribu Juda, 1560. W. 4 Dr. 2 Gr. and 1561. 9 Half of the same. 10. The Queen dressed in her Hair, Maria Dei Gra. Scotorum Regina, 1561 and 1562. R. Arms of France half effaced by those of Scotland, the Shield crowned and supported by two M M crowned. Salvum fac populum tuum Domine. Half (b) Ibid. of both these. 11. After her Return out of France, she coined the large Pieces of an Ounce Weight. On the first of these is the Shield of Scotland crowned, and supported by two Thistles, Maria & Henric s. Dei Gra. R. &. R. Scotorum. R. A Palmtree crowned, with this Motto (on a Schedule hung in it) Dat Gloria Vires, and subscribed 1565, and circumscribed Exurgat Deus, Dissipent r. inimici ejus. The same in 1566. Some call the Tree on the Reverse an Yew-Tree; and report that there grew a famous one of that Kind in the Park (or Garden) of the Earl of Lennox, which gave Occasion to the Impress: Wherein the Tree, being crowned, denotes the Advancement of the Lennox-Family by Henry Lord Darnley's Marriage with the Queen; and the Lemma of Dat gloria vires is observed to comport very well with the Device. This Piece went for Thirty Shillings; there were at the same Time coined Pieces of two Thirds of an Ounce, which went at 20 s. with some smaller of 10 s. and 5 s. All of 'em had the same Impression. 12. After her second Husband's Death, she coined other new Pieces of an Ounce Weight, etc. which agreed with the other in the Impression and every other Matter, save that Henricus was now left out of the Style, and the Date 1567., which we shall find to be same with the first coined Pieces of her Son. There are several Medals in Silver struck in Remembrance of some great Passages of this Queen's Life: One carries the Arms of France and Scotland crowned with Maria D. G. Scotor. Regina Fran. Dot. R. A Hand out of the Clouds, pruning off a dried Branch, and Virescit Vulnere Virtus. Another differs not from this, on the Reverse; but has the Scotch Shield single. A Third bears as the first: But the Reverse shows a Jugg of Water poured from the Clouds upon half a Tree flourishing, the other half being dried and perished, with Mea sic mihi prosunt, subscribed 1579, A Fourth (of the same Year) carries a Ship in a Storm on a rough Sea, with Sails rend and Masts broken, but keeping steady; with Nunquam nisi Rectam. In other Parts not differing from the former. A (c) Cum 4. praemissir, p. D. Sutherland. Fifth (of about two Ounce-weight) with the Queen's Picture to the Waste; with a Breviary in her Hand, inscribed, O God grant Patience, in that I suffer urang. The Reverse has this Inscription, Who can compare with me in Grief. I die and dar notched seile Relief. Circumscribed (after one Hand, with a Heart in it, ready to join with another) Hourt not the Heart. Quhois Joy thou art. In the very Beginning of King James the Sixth's Reign, James VI▪ a Complaint is made in Parliament, (d) Parl. 1. Ja. 6. cap. 13. Of the great Scarcity of good Money in Scotland, the good Silver, as Testons and other old Silver, being utterly melted and destroyed, so that the Ounce of Silver is at double the Price it wont to be at; whereupon it is declared, that the King, with the Advice of his Regent, may coin Gold and Silver of such Fineness as other Countries do, etc. Accordingly, among his Coins, we have, 1. The Thirty-Shilling-Piece of an Ounce Weight, whereon is the Shield of Scotland crowned, and supported by the Letters I and R crowned, with Jacobus 6. Dei Gratia Rex Scotorum. R. A drawn Sword with a Crown on its Point, a Hand pointing to Three XXX for the Number of Shillings, and the Date of 1567. set below, and circumscribed with (that generous Saying of the brave Trajan, upon the Delivery of the Praetor's Sword) Pro me. Si mereor, in me. This is, on all Hands, agreed to be the Conceit of his Tutor, G. Buchanan. The like Pieces (with those of 20 s. 10 s. and 5 s. differing only in a proportionable Weight and Size, and their proper Figures of XX, X and V) were coined in the Years 1568, 69, 70 and 71. 2. A Scotch Shield crowned, with the Figures 3 and 4 on the Sides, Jacobus 6. Dei Gratia Rex Scotorum. R. Four capital IIII crowned, with two Crowns and two Thistles countercharged in the Quarters, Salvum fac populum tuum Dne. 1572. W. 2 Dr. 2 Gr. This is only half of one with the same Inscription in Mr. Sutherland's Collection; only, his has the Figures 6 and 8, which shows it to have been coined for a Noble, whereas the other is only a Ten-Groat-Piece, or 3 s. 4 d. continued yearly to 1577. 3. Shield crowned, and Jacobus 6. D. G. R. Scotorum, 1591., 1592. R. A naked Sword and Balance, His differt Rege Tyrannus. W. 2 Dw. 14 Gr. Half of the same. 4. The Royal Shield of Scotland crowned, with the usual Inscription of Jacobus 6. Dei Gra. 1578 to 1581. On the Reverse the Thistle, (e) Some of these have the Letter I and R on the Sides of the Thistle; but the most want 'em. with Nemo me impune lacesset. W. 6 Dw. 19 Gr. The Mark-pieces of this Coin, (which were coined Twenty Years after this, and were long current in England at the Rate of Thirteen-pence-half-penny) want a Third of this Weight; which 'twas necessary they should do, when the Ounce of Silver went at 60 s. Scotch, whereas now it was only valued at 40 s. For, this very Year, Thomas Acheson and others are impower'd to coin Ten-shilling-pieces, Four in the Ounce of Eleven-penny fine Silver. [From this Mintmaster the Copper-pieces, of Eight-pennies or Four Both-wel Value, pretty common in this and the former Reign, had the Name of Achesons given them. These, in the Year 1587., were (f) So the MS. Calderwood in the Library at Glasgow, Vol. 4. ad An. 87. cried down by Proclamation, because Counterfeit in England and other foreign Parts: But their Currency was afterwards revived, and continued (on the English Borders, as well as in Scotland) even within my own Memory. The Scots (says (g) Itio. Par. 1. p. 283. Fynes Moryson) have of long Time had small Brass Coins, which they say of late [his Book was printed in 1617.] are taken away: Namely Babees, esteemed by them of old for sixpence, whereof two make an English Penny; also Placks, which they esteemed for Fourpences, but three of them make an English Penny; also Hard-Heads, esteemed by them at one Penny halfpenny, whereof Eight made an English Penny.] 5. And the same Act directs, that these new Pieces be such as are (h) Parl. 7. Ja. 6. Oct. 24. 1581. cap. 106. havand on th' ane Side the Portraiture of his Majesty's Body, armed, with ane Crown upon his Head, and ane Sword in his Hand, with this Cirucmscription, JACOBUS. VI DEI. GRATIA. REX. SCOTORUM. and on the uther Side, his Highness Arms in ane Shield, with an Crown above the same Shield, with the Dait of the Zeir, upon ane of the Sides, with this Circumscription, HONOUR. REGIS. JUDICIUM. DILIGIT. There are 30 s. 20 s. and 5 s. Pieces (as well as those here mentioned of 10 s.) which were made in Pursuance of this Act, and answer its Directions as to their proportionable Weight and Circumscription: But furthermore, on their Reverse, they have the Letters I and R on the Sides of the Shield, and a little under XL s. XXX s. XX s. etc. according to the respective Value of the Piece. 6. In the Thirty first Year of this Reign, there was another (i) Parl. 15. Ja. 6. Dec. 19, 1597. cap. 249. Act passed about Coinage, wherein (after a Complaint of the vile Practices of all Sorts of People, in exorbitantly-raising the Value of Gold and Silver) it is ordered that the Ounce of Silver coined in Ten-shilling-pieces, etc. according to the last recited, shall stand at 50 s. and the old 30 s. Pieces (that is, the Ounce-pieces of Queen Mary and King James) at the same Price; and the new Thirty-shillings-pieces (being three Quarters of an Ounce) at 37 s. 6 d. This teaches us to discover the true Value of a Piece of this King's Coin, of the exact Weight of one of our English Shillings, bearing the King's Head without a Crown, and Jacobus 6. D. Gra. etc. R. A Thistle crowned, with Nemo me impune lacesset, 1594. There is no (k) Ita RR. D. D. Archiep. Ebor. Doubt but this Piece was coined to go for Ten Shillings; the Weight of it exactly answering that Value at the Rate of 50 s. in the Ounce. Nor is it any Objection that this Piece was coined three Years before the passing of the said Act: For Silver was raised to this Value before the Act, as appears by its Preface; and 'twas its Design to hinder the farther raising of it, by fixing it at the Price it then stood at. I have the Half, a Quarter, and an Eighth, of this Coin. 7. Notwithstanding the Provision of this Act, the Price of the Ounce of Silver was (within Four Years) advanced to Sixty Shillings: For the Mark-pieces, which were coined in 1601 (to 1604) are proportioned to that Rate. They have, on one Side, the Shield of Scotland crowned with Jacobus 6. D. Gra. Scotorum: And, on the Reverse, the Thistle crowned with Regem Jova Protegit. W. 4 Dw. 9 Gr. There was also Half-merks and Quarter-merks of the same Coin; the former passing at 6 s. 8 d. and the other at 3 s. 4 d. Nay, there was also the Eighth of a Mark-piece, which is the least Piece of coined Silver which (I think) was ever minted in the Kingdom of Scotland: It weighs about Three-half pence of our English Money, and goes for 20 d. Scotch, which is one Sixth short of our Twopences. And these Marks, with their Subdivisions, were the last Silver-money coined by King James the Sixth, before he left Edinburgh, and removed to London. FINIS.