BRITISH, Stuart. Siege money. Scarborough, 1644-1645. One Shilling One Pence (Silver, 47 mm, 5.80 g, 12 h), fantasy issue of the late 18th to early 19th centuries. Castle gate, value S / I and D / I below. Rev. Incuse of obverse. Noonans 305, 19 September 2024, 148 (same castle punch). Cf. SCBC 3167 (for prototype). Beautiful iridescent toning. Small scratches and some areas of weakness, otherwise, very fine.


During the English Civil War, Scarborough Castle became an important Royalist stronghold and was besieged by Parliamentary forces in 1645. Cut off from outside supplies, the garrison issued emergency money made from pieces of silver plate, crudely stamped with an image of the castle and a denomination.

The extreme rarity and distinctive appearance of these siege issues soon attracted collectors, and by the 18th century at the latest, high-quality replicas were being produced for English collectors, including the example offered here.