Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3030 5-6 January 2014
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Great Britain
Oliver Cromwell gold Death Medal 1658, Eimer-201, MI-434/84 (Plate XL, #5), plain edge, MS62 NGC. Brilliant Proof with deeply reflective mirrored fields, heavy rim denticles possible only in proof state, light hairlines and other small handling marks, and two-tone gold color. The portrait is of the classic Simon style as used on the silver coinage (varying slightly) but this is a Dutch copy, listed by Henfrey in 1877; its exact date of origin remains clouded. Die-variants exist, especially of the reverse, which features a shepherd beneath a large central olive tree and the date of Cromwell's departure from the earth preceding the Latin legend NON DEFITIENT OLIVA, which translates to mean "Be Not Afraid, Oliver." Cromwell died a miserable death caused by kidney stones. Medallic Illustrations offers the information that most seen examples, in either gold or silver, were imitations of Thomas Simon's medal "struck in Holland to supply collectors who were unable to procure the more valuable one by Simon." That suggests a contemporary issuance. The smallest details of the pastoral scene are lacking on the Dutch copy. Charming and rare. Eimer places a value of £3,700 in EF.From the collection of Donald E. Bently, sold for the benefit of the Bently Foundation
Estimate: 3000-4000 USD
Oliver Cromwell gold Death Medal 1658, Eimer-201, MI-434/84 (Plate XL, #5), plain edge, MS62 NGC. Brilliant Proof with deeply reflective mirrored fields, heavy rim denticles possible only in proof state, light hairlines and other small handling marks, and two-tone gold color. The portrait is of the classic Simon style as used on the silver coinage (varying slightly) but this is a Dutch copy, listed by Henfrey in 1877; its exact date of origin remains clouded. Die-variants exist, especially of the reverse, which features a shepherd beneath a large central olive tree and the date of Cromwell's departure from the earth preceding the Latin legend NON DEFITIENT OLIVA, which translates to mean "Be Not Afraid, Oliver." Cromwell died a miserable death caused by kidney stones. Medallic Illustrations offers the information that most seen examples, in either gold or silver, were imitations of Thomas Simon's medal "struck in Holland to supply collectors who were unable to procure the more valuable one by Simon." That suggests a contemporary issuance. The smallest details of the pastoral scene are lacking on the Dutch copy. Charming and rare. Eimer places a value of £3,700 in EF.From the collection of Donald E. Bently, sold for the benefit of the Bently Foundation
Estimate: 3000-4000 USD