Watch List notes:

Charles I. 1625-1649. Newark besieged, 1645-1646. AR ninepence. 4.40 gm. 35 x 32 mm. 1645. High arched crown, C - R on sides; IX below / OBS: NEWARK 1645 in three lines. S. 3144. N. 2641. Very Fine; attractive old tone.Newark-on-Trent after surviving several sieges, finally surrendered, by the command of Charles I, to the Scottish army then besieging the town. During the sieges, emergency coinage was minted from silver dishes, plates and other forms, always in a diamond shape. This unusual denomination was part of the first issues: halfcrown, shilling and ninepence. Sixpences came later. Why this unusual denomination? Perhaps the costs of things during the siege were substantial enough that 9 pence made more economic sense than 6 pence. More denomination gradations meant less need for change. Maybe it was someone's lucky number. By the end, May 6, 1646, things had deteriorated to the point of surrender.