Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3066 17 Aug 2018
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Great Britain
Oliver Cromwell gold Proof Pattern Broad of 20 Shillings 1656 PR61 Cameo NGC, 9.09g, KM-Pn25, S-3225, W&R-39. An absolutely outstanding offering, this glorious golden Broad (the precursor of the Guinea, and a denomination produced solely in 1656) is a masterpiece of engraver and engineer's art. Immaculately performed and produced, this Proof is all-the-more significant for its historical background, bearing the portrait of the only commoner to ever feature on the obverse of an English coin: the leader of the Parliamentarians Oliver Cromwell.
The English Civil War came to its close in 1649 on the execution of King Charles I, marking the beginning of the Commonwealth of England presided over by Cromwell, its Lord Protector. A staunch Puritan, Cromwell soon set about transforming the face of the land by his ideals, through such dramatic acts as canceling Christmas celebrations! Partnered with his abhorrence of Catholic 'decadence' was his hatred of the monarchy, a hatred which led him to refuse the crown when it was offered to him. We see this Puritan and anti-monarchist feeling expressed clearly in the currency coins of the Commonwealth; bearing no likeness of a King or Queen, English legends instead of Latin, and the removal of any pomp or decoration whatsoever leading to their being despised by the general population for their ugliness.
With all this in mind, the current coin is a blatant and almost inexplicable piece of hypocrisy. Cromwell's portrait is prominently centered on the obverse and depicted with a laureate wreath, the Classical symbol of emperorship; circling his likeness are his Latin titles, whilst the reverse bears his personal motto PAX QVÆRITVR BELLO, "peace is sought by war". Above all else is the bizarre choice of putting a crown atop the reverse shield, the most iconic symbol of monarchy imaginable, one Cromwell himself refused!
Every facet of this coin seems overtly anti-Cromwellian, making it all the more fascinating from a numismatic and historical perspective; and whatever the reason for Cromwell's acceptance of it, it is a piece clearly designed to impress. Simply extraordinarily high-quality, the planchet a delicate lemon-gold in color, with a luxurious frosting to Cromwell's hypocritical portrait; likely only denied an "Ultra Cameo" designation by a gentle tone in the obverse field overlaying the flashy mirrors and reducing the contrast somewhat. The reverse remains bright and fully reflective, with a stunning red-orange cloak to the crisp Commonwealth shield. A coin one can sit and marvel at for hours, over its symbolism, its history, and its splendor.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 50000-60000 USD
Oliver Cromwell gold Proof Pattern Broad of 20 Shillings 1656 PR61 Cameo NGC, 9.09g, KM-Pn25, S-3225, W&R-39. An absolutely outstanding offering, this glorious golden Broad (the precursor of the Guinea, and a denomination produced solely in 1656) is a masterpiece of engraver and engineer's art. Immaculately performed and produced, this Proof is all-the-more significant for its historical background, bearing the portrait of the only commoner to ever feature on the obverse of an English coin: the leader of the Parliamentarians Oliver Cromwell.
The English Civil War came to its close in 1649 on the execution of King Charles I, marking the beginning of the Commonwealth of England presided over by Cromwell, its Lord Protector. A staunch Puritan, Cromwell soon set about transforming the face of the land by his ideals, through such dramatic acts as canceling Christmas celebrations! Partnered with his abhorrence of Catholic 'decadence' was his hatred of the monarchy, a hatred which led him to refuse the crown when it was offered to him. We see this Puritan and anti-monarchist feeling expressed clearly in the currency coins of the Commonwealth; bearing no likeness of a King or Queen, English legends instead of Latin, and the removal of any pomp or decoration whatsoever leading to their being despised by the general population for their ugliness.
With all this in mind, the current coin is a blatant and almost inexplicable piece of hypocrisy. Cromwell's portrait is prominently centered on the obverse and depicted with a laureate wreath, the Classical symbol of emperorship; circling his likeness are his Latin titles, whilst the reverse bears his personal motto PAX QVÆRITVR BELLO, "peace is sought by war". Above all else is the bizarre choice of putting a crown atop the reverse shield, the most iconic symbol of monarchy imaginable, one Cromwell himself refused!
Every facet of this coin seems overtly anti-Cromwellian, making it all the more fascinating from a numismatic and historical perspective; and whatever the reason for Cromwell's acceptance of it, it is a piece clearly designed to impress. Simply extraordinarily high-quality, the planchet a delicate lemon-gold in color, with a luxurious frosting to Cromwell's hypocritical portrait; likely only denied an "Ultra Cameo" designation by a gentle tone in the obverse field overlaying the flashy mirrors and reducing the contrast somewhat. The reverse remains bright and fully reflective, with a stunning red-orange cloak to the crisp Commonwealth shield. A coin one can sit and marvel at for hours, over its symbolism, its history, and its splendor.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 50000-60000 USD