2017-08-21 Mon

Pro-royalist forces fought against Oliver Cromwell and the pro-parliamentary group during the English Civil War. Cromwell’s supporters ousted Charles I and beheaded him in 1649. Cromwell headed the Commonwealth as Lord Protectorate. His image was featured on new coins of the Commonwealth after many years.

Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles is offering an overdate 1658/7 example graded About Uncirculated 58 on 5th and 6th September at the Pre-Long Beach world coin auction. The coin has a slight blue pastel tone and prooflike surfaces. It holds an estimated value of $8,000 to $9,000. In December 1653, Cromwell established the Protectorate and coins were authorized almost two years later. The new series of coins that were issued after the Commonwealth was uniform, except for the half-penny. The obverse depicts St. George’s cross (a shield) and the reverses feature an odd looking device of the shield and an Irish harp.

Coins designed by engraver Thomas Simon (1618 to 1665) are very different. The obverse features a laureate and draped bust of Cromwell, while the reverse depicts a crowned shield with the cross of St. George in two quarters, the cross of St. Andrew in one quarter, a harp in one quarter and an inescutcheon with a lion.

The mintage limits of each denomination were small and many experts believe that they were not circulated but were given to high-rank officials. An edge Latin inscription on the crown of the English usurper Oliver Cromwell translates to “Let no one remove this from me or suffer death.” Cromwell ruled until 1660 after which Charles II became the monarch. Cromwell coinage was recalled to be recoined, few of which survived.