A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Hard-hed(e, -heid, n. Also: hard-head, harddit, hardeit. [Appar. a corruption of F. hardi, hardit (1451–1562 in Godefroy), the name of a coin of small value, said to be from hardi, the surname of Philip III, under whom the coin was first issued.] A copper coin of Mary and James VI, originally valued at three halfpence. (Another name for the Lion.)(a) 1559 in Calderwood I. 510.
[They] convert the good and starke money … into this corrupted scurffe … of hard-heids and non-sounts 1563 Digest Justiciary Proc. E. 16.
Thomas Peblis convict … of … counterfeitting … of ane testan lyoun callit the hardheid 1574 Acts III. 92/2.
It is weill knawin that the greittast part of the saidis plakkis and hardheidis now passing in this realme ar … adulterat 1592 Aboyne Rec. 175.
The sowm off ane thowsand markis usual current Scottis money, stampit plakis, hard-heidis, … , and twa pennie pecis exceptit(b) 1558-66 Knox I. 365.
Thair was suche nomber of hard-headis printed, that the basenes thairof maid all thingis exceiding dear 1574 St. A. Kirk S. 395.
Memorandum of the iij lib. iij s., ane hard-head les 1644 Hume Hist. Douglas 334 (J).
Certain brasse or copper coyne, called hard-heads(c) 1579 Digest Justiciary Proc. I. 83.
Johnne Mayne … delaitit … of the … prenting of certane fals adulterat money, viz. fals harddittis Ib. 93.
The … bissemer that the saidis hardeittis wes weyit on
