Cromwell was born in Huntingdon on 25 April 1599. Following the traumatic upheavals of civil war and unrest, he rose from the ranks of the minor gentry to become Lord Protector and ruler of England, Scotland and Ireland, enjoying the powers if not the title (which he refuse to accept) of king. At the time he was buried with royal ceremonial in Westminster Abbey, Three years later seeking revenge, Charles II had Cromwell’s body dug up and killed him all over again. Cromwell’s body was dragged to Tyburn, strung up and decapitated.

When it comes to Cromwell’s coins some claim they were struck for circulation and others perhaps have a stronger argument that they are patterns. The argument for them not circulating officially is because for any coin to be legal tender it has to be the subject of a proclamation by parliament naming it as such. The first Cromwell coins were authorised to be struck and some were made in 1656, though the majority were struck in 1658 and were most likely intended for circulation, but were never legally issued. Some examples show wear and this can maybe be explained by some being used as pocket pieces. At the time there was a strong anti-parliamentarian backlash following the restoration of the monarchy.

 

 

Sixpence 1658

Shilling 1658

Half Crown 1656 & 1658

Crown 1658

Half Broad

Broad/ twenty Shillings 1656

Farthing

Fifty Shillings 1656