Charles I (1625-49), silver Newark siege pieces, 1646, group of all four of the final denominations issued in time of duress on lozenge shaped flans, silver Halfcrown weight 14.15g, silver Shilling weight 5.17g, silver Ninepence weight 3.98g, silver Sixpence weight 2.76g, all with similar design, 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 (Brooker 1222, 1225, 1227, 1228; N.2638, 2640, 2641, 2642; S.3140A, 3143, 3144, 3146). All with matching steel grey tone and in similar condition, generally very fine to good very fine, a lovely presentation of the final year of the Newark siege which surrendered just a few months into this year, on the 6th May 1646.
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.
To see such a group of all four denominations in matching tone and condition is a very rare occurrence 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, but probably for a slightly shorter time in reality. Probably for only 40 days or less, a very short-lived issue which makes this assemblage offered herewith all the more remarkable.