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Aberdeen, St Nicholas Street

Findspot (20th Century), Coin Hoard(S) (Medieval)

Site Name Aberdeen, St Nicholas Street

Classification Findspot (20th Century), Coin Hoard(S) (Medieval)

Alternative Name(s) St Nicholas Centre

Canmore ID 107106

Site Number NJ90NW 324

NGR NJ 9416 0627

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/107106

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Areas

  • Council Aberdeen, City Of
  • Parish Aberdeen
  • Former Region Grampian
  • Former District City Of Aberdeen
  • Former County Aberdeenshire

Archaeology Notes

NJ90NW 324 9416 0627

Two hoards found 3.5m apart during the construction of the St Nicholas Centre. Both were contained in pottery jugs; the first hoard consisted of approximately 4461 coins, the second of approximately 2550. The study of these coins has recently been completed and a full publication will follow.

D H Evans and S Thain 1990.

(Location cited as NJ 942 063).

(GRC/AAS NJ90NW 113). 4500 coins of Alexander II (1249-86), Edward I (1273-1307), Alexander II (1249-86) and Robert the Bruce (1306-29) were discovered in November 1983 during trench-digging for the development of a shopping centre. Scottish and English coins were found together (this being common at the period on account of the low volume of coinage then minted in Scotland) at a depth of 12ft (3.66m), and they were quite muddy when discovered.

(GRC/AAS NJ90NW 114). 2500 coins of 13th/14th century date were found in similar circumstances on 1 May 1984 only yards from the site of Marks and Spencers. All are silver pennies although there are a number of metal alloy forgeries. The hoard (which has been declared treasure trove) is similar to that found in 1983 but displays many variations in type and condition.

It is believed that ST Nicholas Street was a commonly-used place for the hiding of money by citizens in the 13th and 14th centuries.

(Newspaper references specified but present whereabouts of coins not stated).

NMRS, MS/712/83.

There is no change to the existing record.

Information from RCAHMS (JRS), 29 May 1997.

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