Landmark coin tied to legendary ruler preserved for nation after detectorist’s lucky discovery

A metal detectorist’s lucky find has become the Scottish government’s gain — and experts say it’s theoldest Scotland-made coinever found.

The 900-year-old coin, which bears the image of David I, a 12th-century king, recently went into the possession of National Museums Scotland (NMS), a public body of the Scottish government.

Pictures of the small coin show it has darkened with age and bears signs of patina, though the symbols are still faintly visible.

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The hobbyist promptly reported the find to Scotland’s Treasure Trove Unit.

A newly acquired medieval coin linked to King David I is now held by National Museums Scotland after a detectorist’s discovery.(National Museums Scotland)

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David I, considered one of the most important leaders in Scottish history, ruled from 1124 to 1153. 

He’s known for reshaping the Scottish government, expanding royal authority and being one of the few Scottish kings to be canonized bythe Catholic Church.

.in Carlisleto produce the first Scottish coins,” said Blackwell.“Henry II later reclaimed the territory for England in 1157.”

The coin, dated to the 1130s, offers rare insight into the earliest days of Scottish coinage.(National Museums Scotland)

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The small coin bears the image of David I on one side and a cross-based design on the other, Blackwell noted.

in Edinburgh, making it the earliest example of a Scottish coin produced from a core Scottish mint,” she said.

The curator added that David I later established mints in Perth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Aberdeen, St.Andrews and Roxburgh in the Scottish Borders.

National Museums Scotland confirmed the artifact was found near Penicuik, south of Edinburgh.(National Museums Scotland)

“His reign [also] included the foundation of royal burghs such as Edinburgh, Perth, Dunfermline and Stirling, and the reorganization of civil institutions.”

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The coin is a penny, Blackwell said — but it’s difficult to say what it would be worth in modern currency.

“Determining the modern economic value today is complex,” she said, adding there were no immediate plans for public display.

“Determining the modern economic value [of the coin] today is complex,” said a curator.(National Museums Scotland)

Scotland continues to yield interesting archaeological discoveries. 

Months ago, excavators at Culloden Battlefield unearthed new secrets from the final moments ofScotland’s bloodiest battle.

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At Islay, a remote island off Scotland’s western coast, archaeologistsfound agrand castleaffiliated with a long-forgotten medieval kingdom.