Farthing of David II of Scotland

Bob Griffiths had already identified this 12mm in diameter hammered silver coin as a farthing of David II of Scotland but he wanted to know what it might be worth.

On the obverse the king’s head faces left and has a sceptre in front. On this side the legend reads DAVID DEI GRACIA.  The reverse is divided in four by a cross with mullets of five points in each angle. The surrounding legend reads +AV IDS COT TOR.      

The legend on the reverse should have been paired with an obverse that reads MONETA REGIS D. Had that been the case then the whole legend would read MONETA REGIS DAVID SCOTTOR, which translates as Money [of] King David [of] Scotland.

The preceding information adds up to this coin being struck early in the reign (circa 1330s) of David II. A few different varieties of farthings were struck but all are extremely rare.

Curiously, I’ve heard of a few specimens being unearthed in England but not a single example in Scotland.

Valuation

Bob’s farthing would grade Fine but is rather grubby looking and this reduces its eye appeal. Pricewise, if I was cataloguing it for sale at auction then in its ‘as found’ condition I would set the pre-sale estimate at £300-400.

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