Oliver Cromwell Gold Fifty Shillings Coin

Coins from the Commonwealth of England (1649–1660) and the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell (1653–1658) are historically unique as they were the only British coins to omit a monarch’s portrait, opting instead for the English shield or a portrait of Cromwell as “Lord Protector”. Because these coins were often melted down after the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, surviving high-grade specimens are extremely valuable.

Most Valuable Cromwellian Coins (1656–1658)
These “milled” coins (machine-made) were produced in small quantities and are highly prized for their artistry.

Gold Fifty Shillings (1656): An extremely rare gold piece, often considered a pattern.
Market Value: Listed with a mid-grade value of approximately £155,000, with high-grade examples potentially reaching £220,000.

Mintage: Extremely low; only a few examples are known to exist.
Gold Broad (1656): A 20-shilling gold coin designed by the master engraver Thomas Simon.
Market Value: A world-record specimen sold for £471,200 at auction in 2021. Standard Very Fine (VF) to Extremely Fine (EF) examples typically range from £27,000 to £54,000.

Mintage: Struck in small quantities as a “bridge” to modern milled coinage.
Silver Crown (1658): Featuring Cromwell’s laureate bust. These often have a characteristic “die flaw” (a crack) across the neck.
Market Value: Generally ranges from £8,700 to £13,250 depending on condition.
Mintage: Highly limited; ceased immediately after Cromwell’s death and the subsequent Restoration.