© Baldwins of St James Ltd
© Baldwins of St James Ltd
2 Merks - Charles II 1st Coinage, Type III
| Silver | - | 34 mm |
| Issuer | Scotland (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| King | Charles II (1660-1685) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1673-1675 |
| Value | 2 Merks (1.33) |
| Currency | Pound Scots (1136-1707) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Diameter | 34 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#164801 |
|---|---|
| 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 2 Merks - Charles II (1st Coinage, Type III) 1673-1675 from Scotland is that it was made of silver, which was a significant change from the previous coinage of Charles II, which was made of copper. This change in material was likely due to the scarcity of copper at the time and the desire to create a coin that was more durable and valuable. The use of silver in the coinage of Charles II was a departure from the norm in Scotland, where copper had been the primary metal used for coinage for centuries. This change in material not only made the coin more valuable but also marked a significant shift in the history of Scottish coinage.
