Lot 2212
Great Britain. Crown, 1658, 8 over 7. S.3226; ESC-10; Dav-3773. Oliver Cromwell, 1653-1660. By Thomas Simon. Obverse, laureate draped bust of Cromwell as Lord Protector left, cloak frosted OLIVAR DG R P ANG SCO HIB & PRO. Reverse, inverted die axis, crowned shield of arms of the Protectorate, date either side of the crown. Legend reads: PAX QVAERITVR BELLO ('Peace Is Sought Through War') Edge has raised lettering: 'HAS NISI PERTVRVS MIHI ADIMAT NEMO. A magnificent mint state coin with a superb old purple and grey toning. Prooflike, with near flawless mirror fields. The usual die flaw across the bust is at an advanced stage and may be one of the last of the small number of these machine made Cromwell Crowns minted. Certainly it is one of the finest extant examples of this classic rarity. NGC graded MS-62. Estimate Value $15,000 - 18,000
Oliver Cromwell was an ordinary landowner who rose to prominence only with the English Civil War. After the victory of the forces of Parliament over the Royalists at Marston Moor his prestige was enormous. Eventually, after the execution of Charles I and a period when England became a 'Commonwealth,' Cromwell was appointed as Lord Protector, and ironically he became a quasi monarch.
Strong in character, Cromwell was more moderate in his religious and political attitudes than many of his political supporters and he held the country together during turbulent times. His massacre of the defeated Irish at Drogheda is however a dark blot on his reputation.
The coins of Cromwell were produced in relatively small quantities, but there is speculation that if Cromwell had not died unexpectedly in 1658, these pieces which were struck from dies made by Thomas Simon (1618-1665), would have been made in larger quantities to satisfy the demands of commerce. In the event, high grade coins bearing Cromwell's portrait are rare.
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| Realized $15,600 |
