Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3094 19-20 Aug 2021
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Great Britain
Oliver Cromwell gold Pattern Broad of 20 Shillings 1656 MS62 NGC, KM-Pn25, S-3225, W&R-39 (R2). Reeded edge. By Thomas Simon. A fetching example of this rare, contested, and highly historical type, which, though designated as "MS" in its current holder placement, was produced in a Proof finish. This fact is evidenced by crispness in every part of the engraving, by the fully mirrored surfaces, and by the sharp rims and edge. Although a cameo designation is not noted on the insert, a pleasing degree of frost over Cromwell's bust and the reverse shield results in a noteworthy contrast between the devices and mirrored fields, with the open expanses expressing an original and appealing red-gold tone that only heightens this representative's pure aesthetic quality.
After the English Civil War terminated in 1649 with the execution of King Charles I, Oliver Cromwell, the leader of the anti-monarchist Parliamentarians, became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England. Seven years later, through the combination Thomas Simon's masterful engraving and the engineering know-how of Pierre Blondeau, the Cromwell portrait series was created. A step towards hypocritically representing Cromwell as King, this milled coinage featured the Lord Protector wearing a laureate wreath and the reverse shield featuring a crown, its overall quality a significant improvement over previous issues. Produced entirely in Blondeau's own private Drury House (as the Tower Mint moneyers loathed Blondeau and refused to let him work alongside them), the coinage was designed as a statement of Cromwell's power and to serve as an example of the dramatic improvements in coin production under the Commonwealth.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-oliver-cromwell-gold-pattern-broad-of-20-shillings-1656-ms62-ngc-/a/3094-33202.s?type=CoinArchives3094
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 30000-50000 USD
Oliver Cromwell gold Pattern Broad of 20 Shillings 1656 MS62 NGC, KM-Pn25, S-3225, W&R-39 (R2). Reeded edge. By Thomas Simon. A fetching example of this rare, contested, and highly historical type, which, though designated as "MS" in its current holder placement, was produced in a Proof finish. This fact is evidenced by crispness in every part of the engraving, by the fully mirrored surfaces, and by the sharp rims and edge. Although a cameo designation is not noted on the insert, a pleasing degree of frost over Cromwell's bust and the reverse shield results in a noteworthy contrast between the devices and mirrored fields, with the open expanses expressing an original and appealing red-gold tone that only heightens this representative's pure aesthetic quality.
After the English Civil War terminated in 1649 with the execution of King Charles I, Oliver Cromwell, the leader of the anti-monarchist Parliamentarians, became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England. Seven years later, through the combination Thomas Simon's masterful engraving and the engineering know-how of Pierre Blondeau, the Cromwell portrait series was created. A step towards hypocritically representing Cromwell as King, this milled coinage featured the Lord Protector wearing a laureate wreath and the reverse shield featuring a crown, its overall quality a significant improvement over previous issues. Produced entirely in Blondeau's own private Drury House (as the Tower Mint moneyers loathed Blondeau and refused to let him work alongside them), the coinage was designed as a statement of Cromwell's power and to serve as an example of the dramatic improvements in coin production under the Commonwealth.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-oliver-cromwell-gold-pattern-broad-of-20-shillings-1656-ms62-ngc-/a/3094-33202.s?type=CoinArchives3094
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 30000-50000 USD