Cameron Maclean
@cmaclean.bsky.social
SGSAH PhD student at the University of Glasgow researching Scottish, English and British coins. Details: https://www.gla.ac.uk/pgrs/cameronmaclean/
Pinned
Cameron Maclean
@cmaclean.bsky.social
· Nov 16
This touchpiece was personally distributed by Henry Benedict Stuart, the last Jacobite pretender, when touching for the King’s Evil sometime between 1798 & 1800. It titles him as: ‘Henry IX, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France & Ireland, Cardinal Bishop of Tusculum’.
Some ancient coins that we'll be looking at in an upcoming coin handling workshop. Includes coins of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra VII & Hadrian. They are all from the collection that was formed by William Hunter between 1770 & 1783.
October 23, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Some ancient coins that we'll be looking at in an upcoming coin handling workshop. Includes coins of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra VII & Hadrian. They are all from the collection that was formed by William Hunter between 1770 & 1783.
I'm giving a talk to the British Numismatic Society on the 22nd of September. It'll be on James VI & I's Anglo-Scottish monetary union, which is the focus of my PhD research.
September 18, 2025 at 11:14 AM
I'm giving a talk to the British Numismatic Society on the 22nd of September. It'll be on James VI & I's Anglo-Scottish monetary union, which is the focus of my PhD research.
The cartwheel twopence of George III was the heaviest copper coin ever minted for circulation in the British Isles. This is an extremely rare specimen made from solid gold. With a weight of 77.7g, it's even heavier than the regular copper version (56.7g). From the Hunterian collection, Glasgow.
September 17, 2025 at 10:29 AM
The cartwheel twopence of George III was the heaviest copper coin ever minted for circulation in the British Isles. This is an extremely rare specimen made from solid gold. With a weight of 77.7g, it's even heavier than the regular copper version (56.7g). From the Hunterian collection, Glasgow.
This set of coin weights from the mid-1600s would have been used by merchants to test the weights of different coins. It includes weights for gold coins from Scotland, England, continental Europe and Spain’s American colonies(?). The set is from the Hunterian collection.
September 12, 2025 at 11:26 AM
This set of coin weights from the mid-1600s would have been used by merchants to test the weights of different coins. It includes weights for gold coins from Scotland, England, continental Europe and Spain’s American colonies(?). The set is from the Hunterian collection.
This gold sovereign was minted as part of James VI & I's 1st English coinage (1603-1604). The coinage was established in May 1603, just two months after James inherited the English throne from Elizabeth I. It titles him as 'King of England, Scotland, France & Ireland'. From the Hunterian collection.
September 11, 2025 at 12:24 PM
This gold sovereign was minted as part of James VI & I's 1st English coinage (1603-1604). The coinage was established in May 1603, just two months after James inherited the English throne from Elizabeth I. It titles him as 'King of England, Scotland, France & Ireland'. From the Hunterian collection.
This gold guinea of George I was minted in 1714, the year of his accession to the British throne. It's the earliest circulating British coin to title the monarch as 'Defender of the Faith' ('F D'), which continues to appear on coins to this day. From the Hunterian Collection.
September 9, 2025 at 1:43 PM
This gold guinea of George I was minted in 1714, the year of his accession to the British throne. It's the earliest circulating British coin to title the monarch as 'Defender of the Faith' ('F D'), which continues to appear on coins to this day. From the Hunterian Collection.
Coins of the two Queen Elizabeths. A 10 pence of Elizabeth II (2021) and a sixpence of Elizabeth I (1562). These two coins were minted over 450 years apart but they still share much in common, including the listing of both monarchs' titles in Latin. From the Hunterian collection.
September 8, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Coins of the two Queen Elizabeths. A 10 pence of Elizabeth II (2021) and a sixpence of Elizabeth I (1562). These two coins were minted over 450 years apart but they still share much in common, including the listing of both monarchs' titles in Latin. From the Hunterian collection.
A silver penny of King Alexander III of Scotland with beautiful rainbow toning. It was minted sometime between 1250 & c.1280. This specimen is from the Hunterian collection.
September 7, 2025 at 11:43 AM
A silver penny of King Alexander III of Scotland with beautiful rainbow toning. It was minted sometime between 1250 & c.1280. This specimen is from the Hunterian collection.
Here's a coin of every monarch from Charles II to Elizabeth II (except Edward VIII). They date from 1677 to 1963 and showcase the alternating portrait tradition that began in 1662. Each monarch faces in the opposite direction from their predecessor. From the Hunterian Collection
September 6, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Here's a coin of every monarch from Charles II to Elizabeth II (except Edward VIII). They date from 1677 to 1963 and showcase the alternating portrait tradition that began in 1662. Each monarch faces in the opposite direction from their predecessor. From the Hunterian Collection
Reposted by Cameron Maclean
The 9th Scottish coinage alongside James's 2nd English coinage, both of which were authorised in 1604 & formed part of the Anglo-Scottish monetary union. The two smallest silver coins would've circulated as a halfpenny Sterling in England and as sixpence Scots in Scotland.
August 31, 2025 at 1:29 PM
The 9th Scottish coinage alongside James's 2nd English coinage, both of which were authorised in 1604 & formed part of the Anglo-Scottish monetary union. The two smallest silver coins would've circulated as a halfpenny Sterling in England and as sixpence Scots in Scotland.
This is possibly the only complete set of King James VI & I's 9th Scottish coinage in existence. It was struck from 1605 to 1609 and consisted of 12 denominations that ranged in value from £12 to 6 pence Scots. The coins are from the Lord Stewartby Collection at the Hunterian.
August 31, 2025 at 11:34 AM
This is possibly the only complete set of King James VI & I's 9th Scottish coinage in existence. It was struck from 1605 to 1609 and consisted of 12 denominations that ranged in value from £12 to 6 pence Scots. The coins are from the Lord Stewartby Collection at the Hunterian.
The tiny 2.5 centesimos coin of Panama that dates to 1904. It’s popularly known as the ‘Panama pill’. With a diameter of just 10mm, it’s the smallest coin ever struck by the US Mint.
August 25, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The tiny 2.5 centesimos coin of Panama that dates to 1904. It’s popularly known as the ‘Panama pill’. With a diameter of just 10mm, it’s the smallest coin ever struck by the US Mint.
Charles I is depicted wearing intricately detailed armour on this Scottish gold unit that was minted sometime between 1637 & 1642. It’s widely considered to be one of the most beautiful Scottish coins ever struck. This example is from the Hunterian collection.
August 23, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Charles I is depicted wearing intricately detailed armour on this Scottish gold unit that was minted sometime between 1637 & 1642. It’s widely considered to be one of the most beautiful Scottish coins ever struck. This example is from the Hunterian collection.
A Japanese 10 mon coin that was minted by the Tokugawa Shogunate sometime between 1708 & 1709. The coins were unpopular because their intrinsic copper value was much less than their face value. Their production was quickly discontinued.
August 20, 2025 at 11:58 AM
A Japanese 10 mon coin that was minted by the Tokugawa Shogunate sometime between 1708 & 1709. The coins were unpopular because their intrinsic copper value was much less than their face value. Their production was quickly discontinued.
This double-headed trial coin of Queen Anne (1702-1714) features her portrait on both sides. It was minted to test two different obverse dies for a proposed copper halfpenny that was never released into circulation. This example is from the Hunterian collection.
August 17, 2025 at 11:17 AM
This double-headed trial coin of Queen Anne (1702-1714) features her portrait on both sides. It was minted to test two different obverse dies for a proposed copper halfpenny that was never released into circulation. This example is from the Hunterian collection.
This gold medal was made to celebrate the Scottish coronation of King Charles II on 1 January 1651. It was the last coronation to take place in Scotland. This example from the Hunterian Collection is one of the very few known gold specimens.
August 16, 2025 at 11:23 AM
This gold medal was made to celebrate the Scottish coronation of King Charles II on 1 January 1651. It was the last coronation to take place in Scotland. This example from the Hunterian Collection is one of the very few known gold specimens.
The Tower of David is depicted on this coin of the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem that was issued by King Baldwin III sometime between 1143 & 1163. It’s one of the estimated 12 million coins struck during his reign.
August 14, 2025 at 12:26 PM
The Tower of David is depicted on this coin of the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem that was issued by King Baldwin III sometime between 1143 & 1163. It’s one of the estimated 12 million coins struck during his reign.
Prince Bohemond III, the ruler of the crusader Principality of Antioch, is depicted wearing a helmet adorned with a cross and chainmail on this coin. It was minted sometime between c.1163 & 1188.
August 13, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Prince Bohemond III, the ruler of the crusader Principality of Antioch, is depicted wearing a helmet adorned with a cross and chainmail on this coin. It was minted sometime between c.1163 & 1188.
This silver shilling of the Massachusetts Bay Colony is one of the earliest coins minted in what would become the USA. It depicts a pine tree & was struck in Boston sometime between c.1667 & 1682. This specimen is from the collection of the Hunterian museum.
August 8, 2025 at 11:09 AM
This silver shilling of the Massachusetts Bay Colony is one of the earliest coins minted in what would become the USA. It depicts a pine tree & was struck in Boston sometime between c.1667 & 1682. This specimen is from the collection of the Hunterian museum.
The royal arms appear on this pattern shilling of Charles I that dates to 1635. It was produced via Nicholas Briot’s minting machinery so it is of much higher quality than the regular circulating coins that were struck by hand. This example is from the Hunterian Collection.
August 6, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The royal arms appear on this pattern shilling of Charles I that dates to 1635. It was produced via Nicholas Briot’s minting machinery so it is of much higher quality than the regular circulating coins that were struck by hand. This example is from the Hunterian Collection.
A crowned lion supports the royal coat of arms on this gold spur-ryal of King James VI & I that was minted at the Tower of London sometime between 1619 & 1620. These coins were struck in small numbers for distribution as gifts by the king. From the Hunterian collection.
July 19, 2025 at 12:07 PM
A crowned lion supports the royal coat of arms on this gold spur-ryal of King James VI & I that was minted at the Tower of London sometime between 1619 & 1620. These coins were struck in small numbers for distribution as gifts by the king. From the Hunterian collection.
This silver coin of Julius Caesar was minted in the last weeks of his life. It was struck sometime between mid-February and his assassination on 15 March 44 BC. Caesar is depicted wearing a laurel wreath and the veil of the Pontifex Maximus. From the Hunterian Collection.
July 15, 2025 at 12:16 PM
This silver coin of Julius Caesar was minted in the last weeks of his life. It was struck sometime between mid-February and his assassination on 15 March 44 BC. Caesar is depicted wearing a laurel wreath and the veil of the Pontifex Maximus. From the Hunterian Collection.
Coin badges made for the @kingjamesconf.bsky.social alongside the original coins from the Hunterian collection.
July 12, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Coin badges made for the @kingjamesconf.bsky.social alongside the original coins from the Hunterian collection.
Thank you to everyone that came to my coin handling workshops at @kingjamesconf.bsky.social It was an absolute privilege to get to introduce (most of) you to James VI & I’s coins.
July 11, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Thank you to everyone that came to my coin handling workshops at @kingjamesconf.bsky.social It was an absolute privilege to get to introduce (most of) you to James VI & I’s coins.
Reposted by Cameron Maclean
The ‘Wall of Jameses’ votes have been counted and the winner is… Nicholas Hilliard’s Lyte Jewel (c.1610-11)!!! (Modelled here by our speaker @emilyhay.bsky.social)
July 11, 2025 at 8:07 PM
The ‘Wall of Jameses’ votes have been counted and the winner is… Nicholas Hilliard’s Lyte Jewel (c.1610-11)!!! (Modelled here by our speaker @emilyhay.bsky.social)