Lot Essay
Pontefract Castle in the West Riding of Yorkshire served as the prison for the deposd Richard II. It was besieged by Parliamentary forces during the English Civil War from 2 June 1648 until 22 March 1648/9, thus holding out after the execution of Charles I on 30 January 1648 o.s. Between February and March, the castle garrison continued to strike obsidional coins from melted silver plate, first using a Charles I motto, DUM SPIRO SPERO (while I live, I hope), on the obverse, and then HANC DEUS DEDIT (God has given this, i.e. the crown to Charles II).