Coinage in Scotland – Interpreting the Evidence

Edinburgh, 27 June 2026

The British Numismatic Society is holding its 2026 summer meeting on 27 June 2026 at the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, in Edinburgh. The theme of this all-day conference, arranged in collaboration with National Museums Scotland, is Coinage in Scotland – Interpreting the Evidence. The day, starting at 10.30am, will offer the opportunity to hear about current research projects developing the understanding of Scottish coinage as well recent important discoveries. In a series of papers leading figures working on Scottish coinage and monetary history will explore how Scottish coinage was shaped by both internal Scottish and external forces. Drawing on the material evidence from hoards, and from major collections, the documentary and the archaeological record, this conference will explore how the Scottish coinage responded to challenges with innovation and frequent change. In more recent times Scottish tokens and other forms of ‘money’ offer unique insights into Scottish society and monetary circulation.

The conference will be in person attendance only.

Confirmed speakers include Jesper Ericsson, Emily Freeman, Dr Mark Hall, Prof. Simon Herrington, Dr Antony Lee, Cameron Maclean, William MacKay and Dr Carl Savage.

PROGRAMME OUTLINE

The day will comprise four sessions each with two papers.

• Session 1 will look at hoards from the earliest times of coinage in Scotland including consideration of finds of Roman coins from Scotland and the recovery and context of medieval hoards.
• In session 2 attention moves to interpretation, presenting recent research arising from the pending publication of the third part of the Lord Stewartby Collection covering the period 1280-1390 and from the seventeenth-century Methven, Perth, hoard.
• The first afternoon session will explore the history of the Scottish coinage between 1136 and 1707 and the relationship with English coinage, including papers on the coinage both before and after the Union of the Crowns in 1603.
• The final session examines what was circulating as coinage in the early modern period including evidence for difference in the Highlands drawing on the recent Glencoe hoard and commercial monies in the form of trade tokens issued in Scotland in the eighteenth century.

FULL PROGRAMME DETAILS  (Link)

REGISTRATION TO ATTEND.

The day is open to members of the British Numismatic Society and everyone interested in Scottish money. To attend you will need to register via Eventbrite through this link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986938372158

Registration is £15 per person, including tea and coffee breaks and a sandwich lunch. Students and persons in full time education are free.

The British Numismatic Society offers small grants to support travel to numismatic conferences. 

Visit https://www.britnumsoc.org/the-society/funds for more information.