Not my coin. Not yet, anyway. I'm bidding, but on a wild guess, I'd lay my odds of winning at 50% or less. Never had a Scottish coin in 43 years of collecting, and me of Scots-Irish descent. Independent Scottish coinage pretty much faded out after the 1707 union with England. What more iconic symbol than the Scottish thistle, right? James VI of Scotland was James I of England (of "King James Bible" fame).
Good luck, my Thistle. Mary I of Scotland (1542 - 1567 A.D.) Scotland AR Bawbee O: MARIA · D · G · R · SCOTORVM: A crowned thistle, 'M' to its left and 'R' to the right. R: OPPIDVM · EDINBVRGI, Saltire behind a crown, flanked by a cinquefoil on each side. Edinburgh mint 21mm 1.78g SCBC 5432
I didn't even think about Krause! But yeah, their coverage starts in 1601, so this 1602 coin would just make it in. The auction description says "approaching Fine", but that's British Fine. By American (and thereby Krause) standards, I would say it's a solid Fine+, and imagine PCGS would grade it F12 (minimum), F15, or even VF20 (on a good day). You called it my coin. It's not, yet, but I like the sound of that. PS- it's a quarter-merk.
Being previously unfamiliar with the type, I did not realize until just now that these actually bore a date on the coin. The date on this one is only partially visible and is squishy and a little bit off the flan. It is at around 10:00 to 11:00 on the thistle side, just to the left of the crown. The fact that the date is right there yet not really readable is a slightly negative factor in my eyes. Live and learn. This kind of thing happens when one plunges into unknown territory, and while it's a minus factor, it's not a dealbreaker for me. This coin has nice contrasting grey toning and looks better than most of the few others I have since looked up. For the price I bid, I will be content with it if I win it. If I do not, I will pay closer attention and try to find a nicer one with similar grey toning and a clear date.
I have only one Scottish coin and I had it for 50 years, a copper turner from King Charles I: Scotland Turner (two pence) Charles I Copper, 20 mm, 3.16 gm, minted 1642 to 1650 Obverse: Crown over large "CR" - CAR DG SCOT ANG FRA E HIB R (Charles by the Grace of God, Scotland England France and Ireland, King) Reverse: Thistle - NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSET (No one shall hurt me with impunity) The Numista website gives the coin weight as around 2.0 gm and mine weighs 3.16 gm.
I picked up this Scottish coin not long ago, a worn but visible crowned thistle. As bad as this coin is, most of the type don't look much better. Charles II (1649-1685), Copper Bawbee or Sixpence, 1677 Obv: CAR•II•D•G•SCO•AN•FR•ET•HIB• ; Rev: draped and laureate bust left, R: crowned thistle, NEMO•ME•IMPUNE•LACESSET•1677•
Opps my bad. 1/4 Merk KM#14, 1602, .916 silver grade/value from 2003 Krause 3rd edition VG-$25.00 F-$50.00 VF-$200 I would guess the values are higher now ?
(Edited your post above to fix the broken quote tag.) Thanks. Current prices don't seem to have changed. I bid around £65 GBP, so we'll see if I was in the right ballpark or not. I think the sale ended yesterday but haven't seen results yet.
Well, I lost the bidding by 10 GBP. So this one is not destined to be mine. I am not heartbroken, though, and am already bidding on an earlier Scottish coin. I will have one before too long.
