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Commenting on Gordon Brown's announcement that a special £2 coin is to be minted to celebrate the 1707 Union the leader of the SNP, Alex Salmond MP, dubbed the suggested coin the 'Brownie' and described it as "full of brass, not very popular and soon to be devalued".
Mr Salmond raised the matter at Business Questions today (Thursday) where he also pointed out that it would take 6,000 million £2 coins to pay Scotland back for the £12 billion in oil revenues the Chancellor will receive from Scotland.
Commenting Mr Salmond said:
"There is no end to Gordon Brown's capacity for self-promotion and his determination to prove his British credentials. I am surprised he doesn't want a coin celebrating his favourite football moment - Paul Gascoigne's goal against Scotland in Euro 96.
"It will also take 6,000 million £2 coins to pay Scotland back for the £12 billion in oil revenues that are keeping the Chancellor and the UK finances afloat this year.
"The coin will be received with the same lack of enthusiasm as the original £1 coin. That was known in Scotland as the Thatcher - brassy and not worth very much.
"This new coin will be the Brownie - full of brass, not very popular and soon to be devalued.
"It will become a collector's item in the future, known for its rarity value as the Union passes in to history.
"Even Gordon Brown in his wildest musings couldn't expect an outbreak of street parties to celebrate the Union in Scotland.
"We would be better served thinking about a coin to mark Scotland's independence - that would be a cause of real celebration for our nation."
Author : John McInnes
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