Merk (coin)
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| James VI: half merk or noble | |
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| Crowned Scottish arms flanked by denomination: 6 and 8 | Compound cross fleury, quartered with crowns and thistles. |
| 1577 - AR 6.57 g (theorical w. 103.8 grains). Grueber 135 | |
A merk was a Scottish silver coin. Originally the same word as a mark of silver, the merk was in circulation at the end of the 16th century and in the 17th century. It was originally valued at 13s 4d (exactly 2/3 of a pound Scots, or about one shilling in English coin), later raised to 14s Scots[1]. In addition to merks, half-merk and quarter-merk coins were produced with values of, respectively, 7s and 3s6d, as well as a four-merk coin of 56s (£2 16s).
In the first issue was weighting 103.8 grains and was 50% silver and 50 alloy.[1]
The term was also used to describe an amount of land in Scottish deeds and legal papers. It seems to have been based upon a common valuation of the land. See UK Research Tools and look for the mark / merk entry.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Grueber: Handbook...
[edit] References
- Herbert Grueber: Handbook of the Coins of Great Britain and Ireland in the British Museum, Londra 1899. (reprint 1970 ISBN 1402110901)
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