England's First Milled Crown

Milled coinage, or machine-struck coinage, ushered in an era of new technology for minting in England. It is used to describe coins that are struck by machine rather than hammered by hand, and the difference in quality of production is clear when you compare an older hammered piece with the newer quality available with milled pieces. These coins, struck in the 1650s, were novel at the time and revealed the best of new technology in the British Isles.

England's first milled crown brings to mind an unpopular and controversial ruler: Oliver Cromwell. The English Civil War ended in 1649 on the execution of King Charles I, marking the beginning of the Commonwealth of England presided over by Oliver Cromwell, its Lord Protector. A staunch Puritan, Cromwell soon set about transforming the face of the land by his ideals, including canceling Christmas celebrations!

Cromwell is remembering for hating what he considered to be 'decadence' as well as the monarchy. He even refused the crown when it was offered to him. This Puritan and anti-monarchist feeling is generally visible in the coins of the Commonwealth period, which bore no likeness of a King or Queen, had English legends instead of Latin, and were generally quite plain compared to earlier issues.

Cromwell's coinage is often remembered both as the first English currency to portray a commoner rather than a King or Queen. However, a close observer will also notice that despite his claims to have done away with the monarchy, the arms on the reverse of these coins continued to display a crown!

Heritage will be offering a 1658/7 Overdate Cromwell Crown as part of the October World Coin Auction #3088. Graded XF45 by NGC, these pieces are very popular as the first milled crown. They were designed by the man widely regarded as England's finest engraver of all time, Thomas Simon. However, this act had consequences for Simon--it lost him all favor with King Charles II when the royal Restoration occurred in 1660. The hammer method of minting returned briefly (1660-62), but in terms of quality, the milled pieces of Cromwell were clearly superior.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Great Britain: Oliver Cromwell Crown 1658/7 XF45 NGC,...(https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-oliver-cromwell-crown-1658-7-xf45-ngc-/a/3088-34719.s)