Description
Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, Oliver Cromwell, as Lord Protector 1653-1658 AD, Silver Crown of five shillings (29.74g, 40mm), 1658/7, Tower mint, London. Obverse: Laureate and draped bust of Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell facing to the left, legend surrounds, “OLIVAR· D·G· R·P· ANG· SCO· ET· HIB· &c PRO”. Reverse: Coat of Arms of Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland & Ireland, surmounted by St. Edward’s Crown (with additional elements from the Crown of Scotland), date above, legend surrounds, “PAX· QVÆRITVR· BELLO·”. Edge: Inscription in raised letters beginning with initial mark cross pattée, “HAS· NISI· PERITVRVS· MIHI· ADIMAT· NEMO·”. Bull-240; Spink-3226. A charming Cromwell crown with unadulterated die crack and the overdate notably clear, despite the light obverse edge bruise at 2h, the piece offers a pleasing dark steel grey patina and visual appeal, details good Very Fine to near Extremely Fine.
The obverse Latin legend reads unabridged as “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 and Ireland and so on”. The reverse Latin legend is stated in full as “pāx quaeritur bellō”, with an English translation of “Peace is sought through fighting war”. The edge Latin legend is also stated in full as “hās nisi peritūrus mihi adimat nēmō”, with an English meaning of “Let no man snatch away/steal these from me under penalty of death”.
