How to Identify the David II Groat
A collector's guide to attributing David II's hammered silver Scottish groat by its crowned portrait, shield-and-cross reverse, mint, and fabric.
Read the full David II Groat encyclopedia entry →
Begin with the portrait. The obverse should show a crowned bust of David II — on the photographed coin facing left — ringed by a Latin legend naming the king. The crowned head, the medieval lettering, and the hand-cut style together signal an early Scottish hammered coin rather than a later milled or English piece. Read as much of the legend as wear allows and compare it against published descriptions.
Turn to the reverse and study the design. Expect a Scottish shield of arms combined with a long-cross motif, encircled by legends that typically name the mint and carry a religious inscription. The pairing of a crowned royal portrait with a shield-and-cross reverse is the type's core signature. Note the details of the shield and the arrangement of the cross, and confirm they match references for David II's groat coinage.
Check fabric, size, and metal. This is a hand-hammered silver coin, so expect a slightly out-of-round flan, uneven rims, and soft or occasionally doubled relief. Weigh and measure the coin and compare against the published specifications for the groat; a markedly underweight coin may be clipped, which reduces both value and authenticity confidence, while a much smaller flan may indicate a half groat or penny instead.
Locate the mint name and legend variety. The reverse legend usually identifies the mint, principally Edinburgh or Aberdeen, and variations in spelling, portrait style, and legend help place a coin within the reign. Cross-reference the mint reading, legend, and bust style against a standard reference for Scottish hammered coinage to pin down the attribution.
Be cautious about authentication and look-alikes. Medieval Scottish silver is sometimes faked, and cast copies, tooled surfaces, and modern replicas exist; contemporary English groats and later Scottish issues can also resemble this type at a glance. Watch for casting seams, bubbles, unnaturally smooth fields, or lettering that lacks hand-cut variation. For any coin of significant value, seek an opinion from a specialist in Scottish hammered coinage or a reputable grading service.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell a David II groat from a smaller Scottish coin?
The groat is one of the larger silver denominations of the reign. Confirm by weighing and measuring against published specifications rather than judging from a photo; a noticeably smaller flan usually means a half groat or penny.
Which side is the obverse?
The crowned portrait of David II is the obverse; the Scottish shield with the long-cross design and mint legend is the reverse. Both should be present to confirm the type.
How can I tell it apart from an English groat?
Read the legends and reverse design. Scottish groats of David II name Scottish mints such as Edinburgh or Aberdeen and carry the Scottish arms, whereas English groats name English mints and use different heraldry. Legend and mint readings are decisive.
How can I be sure it isn't a cast copy?
Genuine coins are hand-struck, showing uneven flans and hand-cut lettering. Watch for casting seams, air bubbles, mushy detail, or incorrect weight. For a coin of this age and value, professional authentication is strongly advised.