Here are a few of my favourite Scottish coins in my collection
1d Alexander III - 1st Coinage (1250-c.1280), Type V
My earliest whole Scottish coin, I have a few William I halfpennies and farthings
Three Alexander 1d coins - 2nd Coinage (1280-1286)
These are by far the most common Scottish Medieval coins. Given there high mintage, it has been theorised that they continued to strike them throughout the interregnum that followed his death.
John Balliol 1d - struck at Berwick or St Andrews (1292-1296)
Its in horrible condition, but its one of my favourites. Struck in the run up to the First Scottish War Independence.
Robert II Groat (1371-1390), struck at Edinburgh
Its missing a pretty big chunk, but I got it for about a 20th of the price of a full one, so I'm not complaining
David II 1d c.1351-1357, Probably struck at Edinburgh.
This was struck while David was held in captivity in England after his capture at the Battle of Neville's Cross.
2 James III copper farthings and a copper 3d piece.
The coin on the left was struck from c.9 October 1466 to 12 October 1467, making it one of the first copper coins struck in Western Europe since the fall of the Roman Empire. These coins have a fascinating history. They were hated by the common Scottish people, one of James III's advisors was even lynched due to his role in introducing them. The farthings are in horrible shape, but I don't mind as they are incredibly rare.
Placks (4d) of James IV (left, 1488-1513) and James V (right, 1513-1526)
Fragment of a James V 6d. (1526-1539)
This is the first Scottish coin to bear a realistic portrait since James III experimented with the concept. It is based on the portrait groat of Henry VII of England
James VI billon Hardhead (2d), struck in November 1588
James VI 7th Coinage 30d, 1594-1601
My only Scottish coin to bear James VI's image
James VI 8th Coinage Merk, Quarter Merk and Eighth Merk (1601-1604)
The last Scottish coins to be struck before James ascended the English throne. I've almost got the full set, now I just need the half merk. I've been looking at the Scottish mint records in Edinburgh and they show that it's probably going to be difficult to get, they rarely struck them, at least this rarity isn't reflected in the prices.
The Eighth Merk literally arrived in the post as I was preparing all these photos.
James VI 2 shillings (1605-1625)
My only Scottish James coin that was struck after his English accession. It is incredibly similar to the English 2d.
Charles II Merk, 1671
These coins were designed by Thomas Simon, who is most famous for designing the Petition Crown. I believe that these are the only coins of his to circulate after the Restoration, I don't know for certain so please correct me if I'm wrong.
Some late Scottish copper.
Bodles (2d) of William II and Mary II (1691-1694, date obscured) and William II (1695) and a Bawbee of William II (1695)
William II 5 shillings, 1697
My latest Scottish coin. This one appears to have been used as jewelry at some point, this may explain its survival from the 1707-1709 Scottish Recoinage. Perhaps worn by a Royalist in response to the Jacobite risings and sentiment?