© Baldwins of St James Ltd
© Baldwins of St James Ltd
½ Merk - Charles II 1st Coinage, Type IV
1675 year| Silver | - | 24 mm |
| Issuer | Scotland (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| King | Charles II (1660-1685) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1675 |
| Value | ½ Merk (⅓) |
| Currency | Pound Scots (1136-1707) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Diameter | 24 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#164804 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Arms arranged in a cross, conjoined Cs in each quarter, value in the centre.
Script: Latin
Lettering: · MAG BRI · FRA ET · HIB · REX · 1675
Translation: King of Great Britain, France and Ireland
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the ½ Merk - Charles II (1st Coinage, Type IV) 1675 from Scotland is that it was minted during a time of great economic change in the country. The coin was introduced as part of a new coinage system implemented by Charles II in 1675, which aimed to address the issue of currency devaluation caused by the rapid influx of silver and gold from the New World. The ½ Merk coin was equivalent to half of a Scottish Merk, which was the standard unit of account at the time, and it was made of silver, a valuable and durable metal that was widely used in coinage during that period. Despite its value, the coin was not widely accepted outside of Scotland, and its use was largely limited to domestic trade. Today, the ½ Merk - Charles II (1st Coinage, Type IV) 1675 is a rare and highly sought-after collector's item, with some examples selling for thousands of dollars at auction.
