Skip to main content
Please wait...

A Silver Coin, (nearly square) struck in the year 1646 at Newark, in the Reign of Charles the first

Object Status:

Unlocated

Accession Date:

Jan 9, 1819

Primary Source Reference:

Peale Museum Accessions Book, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, p. 97

Notes:

This Charles I (1625-1649) "Newark Besieged" Shilling is marked 'OBS: NEWARK' in abbreviation for 'OBSIDIUM,' Latin for siege. A coinage of necessity, it was produced from Royalist silver plate behind the walls of Newark Castle in Newark-on-Trent, which was successfully besieged by Scottish and Parliamentary forces in 1645-1646 during the English Civil War.