1648 Charles I Pontefract Besieged Shilling

Charles I (1625-49), Pontefract Octagonal siege Shilling, 1648 , Posthumous Issue in name of Charles II, issued after execution of Charles I, 30th January 1648/49, crowned C R, inner linear circle with legend and outer beaded circle surrounding both sides, DVM: SPIRO: SPERO, rev. Pontefract castle gateway with portcullis raised, flag flying on central turret, P to left, C to right for Pontefract Castle, OBS, CAROLVS: SECVNDVS: 1648,  (S.3150; N.2648; Nelson type I for name of Charles II cf.fig.47)

-

 

The Latin legend on the obverse side translates as "Whilst I live, I hope" with the Charles I monogram, quite ironic as Charles had been executed outside the Banqueting House in London on Tuesday 30th January 1648 in the old style Julian calendar. The reverse is depicted in the name of his son and rightful successor, Charles II who was touted as the King by the stronghold of Royalists holed up in Pontefract Castle which did not fall to the Puritan roundhead army until 22nd March 1648/49 (old style / new style), less than two months after the regicide. The Charles II pieces are of four varieties of which this coin is type I as it still carries the ironic obverse of Charles I and was perhaps struck immediately subsequent to the execution and before the "Post Mortem" legends of type II, III and IV were issued. As four varieties were squeezed into the short 52 day period from the day of execution till the 22nd March the lifespan of striking of this type was no doubt incredibly short. The coin herewith is well centred, though a little weakly struck with a lovely old "cabinet tone" from one being part of the Helen Farquhar Collection cited below.

 

Provenance:
Ex Spink and Son Ltd, cold to Helen Farquhar at an unknown date for £3.
Ex "Deceased Lady Collector" (Helen Laura Farquhar), Glendining, 25th April 1955, lot 163 part.