Lot 318
Great Britain. Halfcrown, 1658. S-3227A. Oliver Cromwell. Laureate and draped bust of Cromwell left. Reverse: Crowned arms of the Protectorate. Grained edge. Choice old, warm gray toning, which tends to reflect gold and russet, with occasional blues and greens. Superb in every aspect, perhaps the finest known. NGC graded MS-66.
The cataloguer of this coin in the Terner sale, Bruce Lorich, stated, "This is the only Cromwell halfcrown the cataloguer has seen that he feels is a Specimen or Proof. The majority of Cromwell's silver coins, in nice enough condition, do exhibit some prooflike surface qualities. They even may have been struck from the same dies as this coin, but the detail and striking quality here, in this piece, are so extraordinary that it would appear it was struck more than once, on a blank or planchet that was especially well made. The suggestion begs to be made that this coin could have been prepared for inspection by Oliver himself, although of course no evidence exists. How could it? The best evidence, in fact, could be this very coin, exhibiting absolutely marvelous, original silvery gray iridescent surfaces which are essentially flawless. Regardless if a specimen or a Gem Unc, nothing else like it has ever crossed before the cataloguer's eyes, not in 25 years of working with the finest British coins." Since that sale, a handful of these halfcrowns has been given high grades in slabs, but not one has been called a specimen or proof, and none seems to match its special qualities.
Estimated Value $13,000 - 16,000.
Ex Terner Collection as PCGS SP64. "This is the only Cromwell halfcrown the cataloguer has seen that he feels is a Specimen or Proof, but the detail and striking quality here, in this piece, are so extraordinary that it would appear it was struck more than once, on a blank or planchet that was especially well made".
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| Realized $20,125 |
