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![Oliver Cromwell, Silver Half Crown, 1658. MS62 [ECM-213] - Image 3](https://colonialcoins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ECM-213-2.jpg)
Description
Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, Oliver Cromwell, as Lord Protector 1653-1658 AD, Silver Half Crown of two shillings six pence, 1658, 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-252; S-3227a. Certified and graded by NGC as Mint State 62. A genuinely sublime example of a Cromwell half crown, awash with an enchanting display of original toning and supremely sharp features, the satiny surfaces display a captivating underlying brilliance and reflectiveness upon rotation which is still appreciatable through the encapsulating plastic, a few easily overlooked light marks – which appear to be the reason for the conservative NGC grade, otherwise a basically perfect addition to any serious British numismatic collection.
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 reads unabridged as “pāx quaeritur bellō”, with an English translation of “Peace is sought through fighting war”. The edge Latin legend is 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”.
