Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
NOBLE, n.1 1. A Scots gold coin of the reign of David II first struck in 1357 in imitation of the noble of Edward III of England. It was discontinued before 1367. The Lion and Thistle coins of James VI minted from 1584–90 were also gold nobles. See R. W. Cochran-Patrick Records Coinage Scot. and T. Burns Coinage Scot.; 2. the base silver half-merk piece of 1572–77. The quarter-merk of the same period was called the half-noble. See ib. Hist.1. Sc. 1955 I. H. Stewart Sc. Coinage 27:
The noble of David II is a really fine coin.2. Sc. 1702 [T. Morer] Acct. Scotland 23:
Their Mark is 13d. of our Money, and the half of that is their Noble.Sc. 1887 E. Burns Coinage Scot. II. 353:
Half-merks and Forty-Penny Pieces. Now commonly called Nobles and Half-Nobles.
