The 1658 Half-Crown - Oliver CromwellWhen Cromwell first took over as Protector following his execution of King Charles I, the coins had no portraits and the legend was in English. But a decade later we see the bust of Oliver Cromwell on the obverse, wearing a laureate and draped, with Latin legend, and he now looks and acts like one of the the Monarchs he wanted to get rid of. This is one of the few British coins not to have a portrait of a monarch.
The coin itself is beautiful, rare and expensive. It was the early days of milled coinage and the dies made by Thomas Simon were being produced on the Pierre Blondeau presses.
Diameter 33mm, weigh 15g, metal: Silver. SCBC: 3227A.
There is some debate on if these coins should be classified as pattern coins. This is technically true as they had not been submitted to a Trial of the Pyx or mentioned in proclamations. But this was the period of the Roundheads and it was never said that the coins were NOT intended for circulation. Cromwell died later in 1658 so maybe we'll never know for sure.
The Obverse, by Thomas Simon, shows the laureated and draped bust of Oliver Cromwell facing left. Toothed border. Legend in Latin: "OLIVAR. D.G.R.P. ANG. SCO. ET. HIB &c PRO" meaning "Oliver, by the Grace of God, of the Republic of England, Scotland, Ireland etc., Protector".
Edge inscribed "+.HAS. NISI. PERITVRVS. MIHI. ADIMAT. NEMO" meaning "Let no one remove these from me under penalty of death".
The Reverse, also by Thomas Simon, shows a crowned quartered shield with a lion in the centre. Toothed border. Legend around: "PAX QVÆRITVR BELLO" meaning "Peace is sought by war". Date divided across top.Image credit: The Royal Mint . This coin graded by NGC as AU58.
Mintage: Rare
Minted at The Royal Mint
Minted in 1658. See Coins and Events of 1658
Monarch/Ruler: Oliver Cromwell / Commonwealth (1649-1660)
Category: Half-Crowns. See more Half-Crown coins
and see which Half-Crown coins have the lowest mintage.
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
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