Scottish Mint

The Scottish Mint was the Kingdom of Scotland's official maker of Scottish coinage. There were a number of mints in Scotland, for the production of the Scottish coinage with the most important mint being in the capital, Edinburgh, which was active from the reign of David I (1124–1153), and was the last to close, in the 19th century.

History

Origins

Carlisle was probably the first Scottish mint in 1136. According to Bateson, David I began to mint coins after capturing the city.Bateson: ''Scottish Coins'' Mints at Bamburgh and Corbridge in Northumberland, under the control of David's son Henry, Earl of Northumberland, later returned to English control. Under Alexander III (1249–1286) there were 16 mints. In the reign of James IV (1488–1513), the sole mint was located at Edinburgh. After this time, the only other active mint was at Stirling, where bawbees were minted under Queen Mary.

Until 1559 a mint was in the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. From 1559 the mint was located within the confines of Edinburgh Castle for security reasons. In 1571, the principal officers of the mint were; David Forrest, General; Andrew Henderson, Warden; David Adamson, Counter-Warden; James Mosman, Assayer, and his replacement Thomas Acheson; James Gray, Sinker of the dies or coining irons; John Acheson, Master coiner.

Marian Civil War

During the Marian Civil War and "lang siege" of Edinburgh Castle, James Cockie minted silver coins in the castle, and Regent Morton coined equivalent pieces at Dalkeith Castle. According to the ''Diurnal of Occurrents'' coins minted with high silver content at this time were purchased at a premium in Leith and sent abroad. Morton alleged the castle coins were "adulterat and corrupt" although they were intended to pass as currency. Morton also revived the mint at Holyroodhouse in May 1573, ordering repairs to be made by William MacDowall and moving equipment stored in the palace's south tower to the old mint building.

Regent Morton revalued copper or base "black money" coinage, using a countermark of a heart, some at three times its face value, and used this to pay for various building projects for the Crown, including the building of the half-moon battery at Edinburgh Castle. The countermark was made by the goldsmith James Gray, and can be seen on many placks and hardheads today. In 1575, Morton devalued the currency to its base value to the anger of those still holding it.

Regent Morton attempted to revive gold mining in Scotland, and in July 1576 a proclamation was issued, forbidding the sale of gold in Scotland except to the Master Coiner, John Acheson.

Treaty of Union

From 1574 until 1707 the mint in Edinburgh was located on the Cowgate at the foot of South Grays Close, east of Cardinal David Beaton's lodging. The buildings became the property of the mint master Thomas Acheson, and were demolished in 1877. The site, near the Cowgate, is now commemorated by the street name "Coinyie House Close".Winifred Coutts, ''The Business of the College of Justice in 1600'' (Edinburgh: Stair Society, 2003), pp. 444-5.

Minting ceased in Scotland in 1709 when the Edinburgh Mint produced its last batch of coins at the end of the 1707–1710 Scottish recoinage, although it retained its permanent officials (though not other staff) for a further hundred years, until 1814. The mint was finally abolished in 1817 and sold in 1830.The Scottish Mint after the recoinage, 1709–1836
Athol L Murray, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1999 The title of 'Governor of the Mint of Scotland', which passed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer under the Coinage Act 1870, was finally abolished with the passing of the Coinage Act 1971.

Mints

References

Bibliography

*
* Donald Bateson. ''Scottish Coins''. Shire Publications Ltd., Bucks, 1987,
* James Mackay – John Mussel (eds.): Coin Price Guide to British coins, Token Publishing Ltd, Axminster, Devon
* Ian Halley Stewart. ''The Scottish Coinage'', Spink & Son, London, 1955

{{Scotland topics

Scotland
Scottish exchequer