Scot. coin from King David I sold at auction, one of first minted in Scotland during his reign

A piece of Scottish history has been sold at an auction for a staggering sum of over £1,000. This historical artifact is none other than one of the earliest coins ever minted in Scotland, dating back to the reign of King David I. The penny, which is incredibly rare, boasts a profile bust of the King holding a sceptre, along with a cross adorned with fleurs de lis on the reverse side.

It is believed that this coin was minted sometime after 1136, during King David I's rule. He was the very first Scottish monarch to issue coins, a significant feat that came after his victory in the capture of Carlisle in Northumbria. This triumph not only gave him control of the city's mint, but also access to the silver mines nearby.

The coin was part of a larger collection of Scottish coins that had been amassed over the past 50 years by an anonymous collector. Recently, it was sold at Noonans Mayfair auctioneers for an impressive sum of £1,500 to a fellow Scottish collector. Jim Brown, a coin specialist at Noonans, expressed his delight at the fact that the coin will be returning home during the 900th anniversary year of King David I's coronation.

The collection, consisting of 177 lots, was sold for a total of £57,700. Among these, the highest bidder was a UK collector who acquired an extremely rare coin from the reign of Robert the Bruce for £2,600. Another noteworthy item from the collection was a groat from the reign of Robert II, minted in Dundee, which fetched a hammer price of £1,800. It is worth mentioning that the Dundee mint was only operational for a few years in the 1380s.

This exceptional collection of Scottish coins is a testament to the rich history and culture of this nation. It is a privilege to be able to own a piece of this heritage, and we can only imagine the excitement and pride felt by the new owners of these coins. If you want to read more fascinating stories like this, make sure to check out Scottish Field and subscribe to their latest issue.

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