Charles I 1646 Newark Shilling, struck whilst City under siege in Civil War

Charles I (1625-49), silver obsidional Newark Shilling, 1646, Royal crown, C to left, R to right, denomination below in Roman numerals, beaded border both sides, rev. three line inscription and date, OBS: / NEWARK / 1646, weight 5.62g (Brooker 1225; N.2640; S.3143). Toned, a little double struck on reverse, about very fine.

The silver Newark siege pieces were issued with dates of 1645 and 1646, the Shilling being the first denomination to appear with a crude ovoid crown design and with an E on the end of the town name styling it as "Newarke."

The next denomination issued was the Ninepence in unison with the Shilling after a revision of the crown style. Later in 1645 the Halfcrown appears when all three of the denominations are styled with the town name as "Newark."

Finally, the Sixpence appears for use dated 1646 and is consequently the rarest of the denominations. The letters OBS: are an abbreviation of the word obsidional which means "of the siege."

The dated coins of 1646 as the final date are rare, as the new year at that time did not commence till the 25th March. Therefore 1646 dated coins could really only have been issued from the 25th March till the 6th May maximum when Newark surrendered, but probably for a slightly shorter time in reality. Probably for only 40 days or less, a very short-lived issue and subsequently rare.

Provenance:

Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, December 1979, item 11351.

Ex Spink Coin Auction, 15th April 2004, lot 245.