Description
Commonwealth of England, Oliver Cromwell, as Lord Protector 1653-1658 AD, Silver Crown of five shillings (30.09g, 40mm), 1658/7. Obverse: Laureate and draped bust of Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell facing to the left, legend surrounds, “OLIVAR· D·G· R·P· ANG· SCO· HIB· &c PRO”. Reverse: Shield of arms of the Commonwealth of England under the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell surmounted by royal crown, date above either side of globus cruciger, legend surrounds, “PAX· QVÆRITVR· BELLO”. Edge: Inscription in raised letters, “HAS. NISI. PERITVRVS. MIHI. ADIMAT. NEMO.”. Spink-3226; Bull-240. An attractive rendition of the ever popular 1658 crown, complete with untouched late-stage die crack, a collectible grade, good Very Fine or a touch better.
The Obverse Latin legend reads “Olīvārius, Deī Grātiā, reīpūblicae Angliae, Scotiae, Hiberniae et cētera prōtēctor”, with an English translation of “Oliver, by the Grace of God, Protector of the Commonwealth/Republic of England, Scotland, Ireland and so on”. The Reverse Latin legend reads “pāx quaeritur bellō”, with an English translation of “Peace is sought through fighting/war”. The Edge Latin legend reads “hās nisi peritūrus mihi adimat nēmō”, with an English meaning of “Let no man snatch away/steal these from me under penalty of death”.