For those who collect coins of the British Isles such as myself,a British coin,as opposed to an English coin,is one that has been issued since the Post-Union issue of 1707.The Edinburgh pieces of 1707-08 are technically regarded as being British coins,but I regard them as being the last Scots coins.What do you think?
I think I might be inclined to call them Scottish coins, although I would entertain arguments in the other direction. They were, I think, the last gasp, of sorts, until the 20th century, of true Scottish nationalism. After James VI of Scotland ascended in 1603 to the throne of England as James I, he and his descendants claimed to be kings of Great Britain, and this was noted on their coins, although the title was not recognized either by the English or the Scots parliaments. The Act of Union creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain wasn't, as you note, until 1707. What should we make of those 17th century coins?
KLJ,Great Britain existed in name only between 1603 & 1707.There was an attempt to unite England & Scotland in 1607,but this was rejected by the English Parliament.The use of 'Great Britain' on the English coins of King James I signified that King James VI of Scotland had annexed 'South Britain' (England) to 'North Britain' (Scotland).'Great Britain' was also used on some Scots coins,but the easiest way to distinguish the Scots coins from the English coins is the Scots Coat-of-Arms are present in the 1st & 3rd quarters.
