Stock No. 3218	Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector, silver medal
Very interesting silver medal of Oliver Cromwell executed by an unknown artist in Geneva as an emulation of Thomas Simon's official medal celebrating Cromwell's elevation to the Protectorate on 16 December, 1653. This medal must have been executed a little later than that of Thomas Simon. Obverse: Three-quarters bust of Oliver Cromwell in plain falling collar, armour and scarf with fringe and looped on right shoulder. Legend: OLIV . D . G . R . P . ANG . SCO . ET . HIB . PRO. Under the bust - T. S. (for Thomas Simon). Reverse: A lion sejant, laureate, supporting the shield of the Protectorate:- 1 and 4. Cross of St George, 2. Cross of St. Andrew, 3. Irish harp. On an escutcheon of pretence, the paternal coat of Cromwell. Legend: PAX . QVAERITVR . BELLO. (Peace is sought by war.) See "Medallic Illustrations" vol. I, p. 410/46.

Condition :-Almost Extremely Fine. This medal has been struck in very high relief and in consequence the tip of Cromwell's nose on the front of the medal has been flattened. The more prominent parts of the lion's mask on the reverse have also been flattened
Circa :- 1653
Size :- 1.3 inches (33 mm) diameter
Thomas Simon's medal broke across the middle of the die of the reverse after only having been used for a short while, so adding to the rarity of his medal. This medal, executed by an unknown artist in Geneva, was produced as a pecuniary speculation in consequence of the high price obtained for Simon's medal. Although the reverse is the same, the obverse is similar but not identical either in the detail or in the abbreviation of the legend. Furthermore, the unknown artist's obverse is signed "T. S." while Simon's medal is signed "THO : SIMON . F."

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