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Lot 4390
Great Britain. Tanners Copy Crown, 1658. S.3226B; ESC-13. Oliver Cromwell. Laureate and draped bust of Cromwell left. Reverse: Crowned shield of the Protectorate. Probably the finest surviving specimen of the few examples made. Uncirculated with a light grey and blue tone and one of the most dazzling coins in the British numismatic series.
Similar to the regular Cromwell Crown, but slightly different features are to be noted on the portrait. The top leaf of the laurel points to the first limb of N, which is itself upside down. The beading of the border is wider, there are stops after HIB and PRO, and there are flaws in all P's. The date is a sharp singular 1658, not 58/7.
English Silver Coinage designates the Tanner's copy as Rarity 4 (only 11 to 20 examples known) whereas the regular Cromwell Crown is simply described as 'scarce,' making this an irreplaceable landmark coin. NGC graded Proof 64.
*It is easy to see Cromwell as an uncompromising regicide and Charles as a dignified martyr who was misunderstood and died with great dignity. In reality, Charles the man was courteous if distant, but as a king he had a complete lack of scruples. He lied, cheated and double-crossed from start to finish. What doomed him was his failure to understand the spirit of England which Parliament to a large extent represented and which is so clearly shown in the calibre of his opponents, Pym, Hampden, Fairfax, Milton and Cromwell.
As Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell gained great prestige for himself and for his country. In his first year he made what was considered as an advantageous peace with the Dutch, in 1654 he made war with Spain. His government could not put an end to religious disorder, but it set an example of tolerance, even towards the Catholics. There began, however, an experiment in military government which served only to heighten ill-feeling all round. Eleven major-generals were put over the administration of large districts and eventually the country began to tire of Cromwell's puritanical attitudes and militaristic fervour. The second Protectorate (Cromwellian) Parliament was elected in an atmosphere of growing discontent and was so divided it seemed that the country could only be re-united under a constitutional monarch. Cromwell then became Lord Protector - a de facto king - and in 1657 he was given the right to name his successor.
In 1658 (the year this coin is dated) Oliver died and his amiable though completely unsuitable eldest son Richard replaced him, although Richard clearly did not want the job! The country had experimented and was now in the mood for the return of the monarchy in the person of the able and energetic King Charles II.
Estimated Value $23,000 - 25,000.
Ex Millennia Collection; Ex Cheshire Collection.
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| Realized $25,300 |
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