An annotated book provides access to the informal discernments of one who has shared thesame interests as the reader. The annotations are of particular value if their author wasknowledgeable in the subject under review. Robert Kerr was one such person, having had aworking relationship over an extended period with the National collection of Scottish coins.His annotations in the seminal text on Scottish numismatics may therefore be of interest tostudents of the series.I have endeavoured to organise Kerr’s jottings in a compact and accessible format. Quiteapart from their value as commentary and expansion of the text, they are evidence of thecuratorial oversights of a former age.
Scottish and Irish
Atypical single-cross sterlings of Alexander III – David Rampling
Five unusual coins from this series are presented, including one displaying a new variety of the very rare twenty-one points reverse. …. and be sure to see the preceeding two articles on Alexander III’s single-cross sterlings.
Vagaries and constants of epigraphy and design in the single-cross sterlings of Alexander III – David Rampling
The single-cross coins exhibit a diversity of letter forms and other design elements. These differences form the basis of the classificatory system, but some inconsistencies both within individual coins and more generally, may pose difficulties in attribution. These vagaries are both a delight and a stumbling block. The constancy of other features point to purposeful design. The article describes and illustrates some of these issues. …. and be sure to see the other two articles in this series on Alexander III
The classification of single-cross sterlings of Alexander III – David Rampling
The Second coinage sterlings of Alexander III are among the most readily available hammered Scottish coins. They are an attractive series, displaying a diversity of subtle epigraphic and design differences. These variables add to their enchantment for collectors, but also create classificatory difficulties. This article, the first of three related contributions, revisits ground that has been extensively covered by eminent numismatists, so it is with some trepidation that I submit these articles. I shall be grateful for comment or criticism. …. and be sure to see the associated following two articles on Alexander III single-cross sterlings.
A new farthing reverse die for David II of Scotland’s first issue – Carl Savage
A new farthing reverse die of David II of Scotland’s first coinage is described.
King John’s Pellets: Die-cutter Signatures? – Robert Page
Observations of the reverses of 48 King John pennies of the moneyer Roberd at Dublin has revealed the presence of pellets on many of the coins. This brief article illustrates the different varieties observed and speculates on their meaning. Reader comments and suggestions are encouraged, as are comments on additional pellet configurations, including those from other moneyers or denominations.
An Addition to the Sylloge of Coins of the British Isles 35: Scottish Coins in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford and the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow – Cameron Maclean
This brief note serves as a record of one of William Hunter’s Scottish coins that was not included in the Sylloge of Coins of the British Isles 35: Scottish coins in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford and the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow. The reasons for its exclusion will also be discussed.
Letters of John Lindsay of Cork Regarding the Scottish Coinage – David Rampling
The inclusion of personal letters in books once owned by notable numismatists can provide insights into former views on a coinage. The four letters reproduced in this article were written by the noted Irish numismatist John Lindsay and inserted in two copies of Lindsay’s A View of the Coinage of Scotland. They are addressed to the books’ original owners, J. H. Burn and J. B. Greenshields respectively. They illustrate the application of our forebears to elucidating aspects of the Scottish coinage.
An Eighteenth Century Document Pertaining to the Edinburgh Mint – David Rampling.
The purpose of this note is to place on record a document saved by an eminent nineteenth century numismatist as an insertion in a grangerized book. Documents relating to the Scottish mint during its lengthy survival from the cessation of coinage in 1709 until its closure in 1817 are rarely in the public domain. The Draft of Warrant, dated 1750, and transcribed in this article, may also fill a temporal gap in the National Archive, which is apparently deficient of similar documents for the mid-eighteenth century. Click here to access the article Note: A “grangerized” book is one that has had its’ illustrative content augmented by the insertion of additional prints, drawings, engravings, etc., not included in the original volume.
A new privy mark on a Robert II groat prefigured on false coins – by David Rampling
In 1853 Dr Aquilla Smith published a find of fourteen Scottish coins from the County of Fermanagh in Ireland. The lot included two false groats of Robert II displaying a large cross pattée behind the king’s crown, a feature hitherto unrecorded on genuine coins. The purpose of the current note is to record what appears to be a genuine coin having the large cross privy mark. CLICK HERE TO READ THE RESEARCH NOTE To provide comments on the article please scroll down to the bottom of this page.
BNS Research Blog 