Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 1285. Estimate $1500.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $2100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Newark Beseiged. 1645-1646. AR Halfcrown (15.18 gm). Dated 1646. Crown with C R, XXX below / OBS: NEWARK 1646. Brooker 1222; North 2638; SCBC 3140A. VF, with attractive mellow toning. ($1500)

Newark was a vital nexus of Royalist control in the east Midlands, and, along with Oxford, represented dual salients into Parliamentarian-controlled territory in eastern England during the early phase of the Civil War, posing a threat to London. It was the target of sieges in 1642/3, 1643/4 and, finally, 1645/6, when the famous siege coinage was struck. Newark held out against the Parliamentarian armies until May 1646, when Charles surrendered himself at Southwell.