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Sale 25
Lot 1927
Great Britain. Proof Shilling, 1658. Oliver Cromwell. S-3228. Grained edge. An extraordinary coin! The cataloguer has been working with rare English coins since 1972; in that time period, he has seen every known version of the Cromwell coinages. Of all those, the majority are slightly circulated or handled coins (many were carried in pockets or purses by those loyal to Cromwell) and some have been well used, even abused after Cromwell fell from power. Generally speaking, the best coins of this period to be found are nice AU pieces, what the British call "Good EF." True Uncirculated coins are rarely seen. However, the shilling in this lot goes a step beyond "mere" Uncirculated, and is one of the most beautiful examples encountered; the cataloguer would guess it is among the finest of Cromwell's silver coins extant, a Proof or Specimen in pristine condition, sparkling with original luster and age-old, premium iridescent toning. Extremely rare and largely overlooked as a Specimen. Here is a major opportunity for the advanced collector to acquire the best there is. Worth a runaway price! Superb Choice Proof. PCGS graded Specimen 64.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,500.
Historical note: Cromwell was popular among a portion of the then-ruling class, during the period of England's revolution, known as the Commonwealth, which lasted from the execution of King Charles I in 1649 through the Restoration of the monarchy, in the form of the murdered king's son, Charles II, which came in 1660. For the first years of what was to be a new form of government, in which the Parliament had "first say" in matters formerly those of the king's decision-making prerogatives, the new coinage was entirely non-regal, and also fairly crude as it was made by the old-fashioned hammer method. At the end of his life, Cromwell consented to having his portrait on the coinage, even though he had always rejected the notion of making him king. He preferred the title Lord Protector, in what was in fact the first real movement towards modern democracy in Great Britain; for, following his demise, Parliament would forever have the primary decision-making powers, formerly those of the monarch, and the titular ruler of England would thereafter have only "stamp of approval" powers, the actual governing of the nation going to the new Prime Minister and his cabinet. Beginning in 1656, however, a new coinage appeared for the waning Lord Protector, with designs and engraving done by Thomas Simon, who would go down in history as perhaps the most masterful coin-engraver of all time. When the Loyalists and Charles II came back to power in 1660, Simon would face personal trials (not legal ones) for having lent his talents to the Commonwealth, resulting in the most famous of all British coins, the Petition Crown, which Charles II rejected despite its marvelous engraving. Thus, for most collectors, the height of Simon's accomplishments in metal, that can be owned, are the coins of Oliver Cromwell.
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| Realized $5,750 |
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