Charles I. Scarborough Siege. AR sixpence. 3.7 gm. 24 x 28 mm. 18th century imitation (57 grains). Six vertical punches depicting a castle; D VI punched below / Blank with a lightly engraved note in script: "Scarborough 1645". Very Fine.

Ex Davissons Auction 20 (12 February 2004) lot 135.

Issues attributed to Scarborough such as these have appeared in references and catalogs since the mid-18th century. The 1746 publication of the Earl of Pembroke Collection cites an example. Martin Folkes commented in his 1745 work on English silver coins that "some of them are said to have been struck at Colchester in 1648." The mystery of the actual source of the pieces remains and they are now considered to be productions after the Scarborough Siege. Harry Manville discussed the history of the pieces in a lengthy 1982 Spink Numismatic Circular article. The weight is correct for a sixpence. The engraving on the reverse places it within the early productions noted by 18th century numismatists. The sixpence denomination is not seen as often as the shilling size piece.