Oliver Cromwell Coin – Commonwealth Halfgroat – 1649-60

Description

Header: Oliver Cromwell Coin – Commonwealth Silver Halfgroat – 1649-60

Denomination: Silver halfgroat

Period: Commonwealth under the protectorships of Oliver & Richard Cromwell

Date: 1649-1660

Origin: London mint

Condition: VF for type, small edge nick. Scarce.

Obverse: Cross of St. George in shield, wreath of palm and olive around

Reverse: Conjoined shields of England and Ireland, denomination mark .II. above

Size and Weight: 17mm, 0.85g

References: Spink 3221, North 2728

Features and Provenance: This historic coin reflects a turbulent time in Britain. In 1649 Charles I was executed and Britain entered a period without a monarch. the interregnum. Oliver Cromwell became the ‘Lord Protector’ and acted little more than a dictator from 1653 until his death in 1658. His son, Richard, took over the protectorship, but with the army questioning his right and abilities for the office, his fall was almost inevitable and he resigned in 1659. He quietly left for France and survived there until the age of 85 using various pseudonyms but he never saw his wife again.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present, visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief, all parts of legend etc present, but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible