Oliver Cromwell 1656 silver pattern Half-Broad MS62, only example available

Oliver Cromwell (d.1658), Pattern silver Half-Broad, dated 1656, struck circa 1738 using a Dutch derived obverse die by J S Tanner at the Royal Mint, laureate head left, legend surrounding, .OLIVAR. D. GR. P. ANG. SCO. HIB. PRO., toothed border around rim both sides, rev. inverted die axis slightly off-centre, engraved by Tanner, crowned quartered shield of arms of the Protectorate, date above, .PAX. QVÆRITVR. BELLO., edge plain (cf.WR 42 R5; Henfrey - Tanner 1; Lessen D.10 - 3^rd series; KM. PnA26; S.-). Toned, with raised flaws both sides as dies clearly started to break up upon striking, has been graded and slabbed by NGC as MS62, the only piece of this variety ever graded, Lessen speculated that likely two exist, seemingly unique in private hands and of the highest rarity thus.

NGC certification 4333382-005.

For further reference see the British Numismatic Journal, volume XXXV, 1966, "A Summary of the Cromwell Coinage" by Marvin Lessen, pages 163-173.

The Latin legends translate as "Oliver by the grace of God, Lord Protector of the English, Scottish and Irish." And on the reverse "Peace is sought by war."

The George Hamilton-Smith Collection sold in 1927 was first offered intact to the British Museum who picked coins for the national collection that were not already represented. The fact that the silver Half-Broad appeared for sale in 1927 presumably means the British Museum must have already had one at that time, and that Lessen estimated two exist.

Provenance:

Ex Martin Inett Preston, Sotheby, December 1891, lot 210 sold for £11 to Spink.

Ex John Gloag Murdoch, second portion, Sotheby, 8^th June 1903, lot 459.

Ex George Hamilton-Smith, Glendining, 23-25^th May 1927, lot 416, illustrated plate XII.

Ex R. C. Warner Collection, sold privately 1964.

Ex Ralph E. Ockendon Collection, owner as acknowledged in the 1966 Marvin Lessen article.

Ex Colin Southern Collection, sold privately 1987 via Patrick Deane.

Ex Michael Druck Collection, Stacks Bowers New York Auction, USA, 12^th January 2017, lot 2459.

Ex Jonathan P. Rosen, Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXI, 9^th January 2018, lot 1488.