Object: Countermarked Coin from Rothesay Cotton Mills

Date: 18th c

Description: A cut half silver Spanish Real of Carlos III (these coins were popularly known as pieces of 8). It is over-stamped ‘Payable at Rothsay Mills 2/4’. Silver coinage was in short supply in the late 18th century so manufacturers were permitted to countermark foreign silver to pay workers. It was often linked to the exploitive practice of mill workers having to spend the money in a shop run by the mill owners. The Museum collection also has copper mill tokens.

Origin: This was found by a local metal detectorist near the site of a corn mill. Many other coins have been found in the same area including French and Irish coins. It was awarded to Bute Museum through Treasure Trove