A 12th century coin minted in Carlisle is to fetch up to £20,000 when it goes under the hammer next week.

A unique and unpublished coin from the reign of David I of Scotland (1124-1153) that was minted in Carlisle is to be offered by Noonans Mayfair on Thursday, September 19 in a sale of British, World Coins and Historical Medals. It is estimated to fetch around £15,000-£20,000 and is being sold by the finder.

The coin dates from a highly significant time in Carlisle’s rich and varied history.

The death of Henry I in France on 1 December 1135 altered his kingdom forever and initiated the Anarchy, a period of unrest played out around the disputed succession to throne between Henry’s daughter Matilda and her cousin Stephen of Blois.

The coin could fetch upwards of £20kThe coin could fetch upwards of £20k (Image: Noonans) Although the barons of the land had agreed to recognise Matilda, Stephen, on hearing of Henry’s death, was quicker to return to England to stake his claim and was crowned in Westminster Abbey on December 22.

Within a matter of days, David I of Scotland began an invasion of the north of England, ostensibly in support of Matilda who was his niece but more likely seeing an unexpected and unrivalled opportunity to regain territory in the disputed borderlands between the kingdoms.



Carlisle fell to the Scots before the end of January 1136 and possession was ratified by the first Treaty of Durham a few months later.

David was quick to continue the fortification of the castle begun by Henry a decade earlier.

Carlisle was one of David’s favourite residences and he spent a great deal of time there. He died in his bedchamber in the tower of the castle in late May 1153.

The discovery of silver deposits near Carlisle in the 1120s led to the swift establishment of a mint where coins were struck.

Coin specialist, Jim Brown said that the coin represent a find of ‘considerable historical and numismatic importance.

“It is not really surprising that new varieties of medieval coins turn up from time to time - this is to be expected,” said Mr Brown.

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“What makes this find so different is the unique nature of the design - a complete and totally unexpected departure from the norm.

“The exact occasion of its striking however can only be surmised. It was a tumultuous period of alliances, battles and treaties changing with the ebb and flow of the political and military struggle.

“In view of the obverse type, it may be to commemorate David’s fortification of his new power base in Cumbria - an issue unparalleled in British medieval numismatics.”