Summary

Silver coin; Denomination, Halfcrown
Tower Mint, London.
Commonwealth of England, Protectorship of Oliver Cromwell, (1653-1658)

A halfcrown was a 2 shilling and 6 pence piece. Even though many circulated, the Cromwell issues are classed as patterns since they were neither tested in the trial of the pyx nor were they mentioned in the proclamation for the withdrawal of the coinage of the Commonwealth in 1661.

Obverse Description

Laureate and draped bust of Cromwell facing left; around, OLIVAR D G R P ANG SCO HIB &c PRO (Translation: Oliver by the Grace of God of the Republic of England, Scotland, Ireland, etc Protector ).

Reverse Description

Crowned shield quartered with the cross of St George (1 and 4), cross of St. Andrew and Irish harp; with the Protector's family arms, a lion rampant, at the centre; around, PAX QVAERITVR BELLO 1658, the date being divided by the cross on the top of the crown (Translation: peace is sought by war).

Edge Description

Raised lettering, HAS NISI PERTVRVS MIHI ADIMAT NEMO (Translation: Let no one remove these letters from me under penalty of death).

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