England · Oliver Cromwell (1653–1658)
England Gold Fifty Shillings — Oliver Cromwell (1656)
About this coin
Obverse
The laureate head of Cromwell faces left without the draped shoulders of the silver portrait coinage.
Script: Latin
Lettering
OLIVAR D G R P ANG SCO ET HIB &c PRO
Translation
Oliver, by the grace of God, Protector of England, Scotland, Ireland and the other territories.
Reverse
A crown surmounts the Protectorate’s quartered shield, with the date above. The shield combines the English crosses, Scottish saltire and Irish harp, with Cromwell’s lion on a central shield.
Script: Latin
Lettering
PAX QVÆRITVR BELLO 1656
Translation
Peace is sought through war.
Mints and mintmarks
London: portrait coinage made with Blondeau’s machinery from Simon’s dies.
Engraver and mintmaster marks
No separate privy mark.
Identification and varieties
A thick-flan issue, possibly prepared for presentation or demonstration. Its traditional name should not be taken as proof of a circulating fifty-shilling denomination.
Measurements
Specimen measurements vary; they are not a guarantee of a fixed weight for experimental pieces.
Years, mintmarks and variants
Tap an issue for details and places to find it.
| Year | Mint | Mintmark | Variant | Mintage | Notes | Find this issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1656 | London | None | Thick gold flan; lettered edge |