England · Oliver Cromwell (1653–1658)
Sixpence d’Angleterre — Oliver Cromwell, argent original (1658)
About this coin
Obverse
A laurel-crowned, draped portrait faces left. Four berries appear in the wreath, whose upper leaf points towards the first stroke of A.
Script: Latin
Lettering
OLIVAR D G R P ANG SCO 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 1658
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
Original Protectorate dies must be distinguished from later imitation dies and restrikes. The precise extent of official circulation remains debated. Do not identify a coin solely by its inscribed date.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1658 | London | None | Silver; reeded edge; four berries | Laurel leaf points to first stroke of A; &c retained. |
1658Silver; reeded edge; four berries
Laurel leaf points to first stroke of A; &c retained.