HIB Legend

Laureate bust left / Crowned shield, Lettered edge

S3227A; 33mm, 14.87g

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Indirectly descended from Henry VIII chief minister Thomas Cromwell, Oliver Cromwell was born in AD 1599 to a landowning family from Huntingdon. He entered Parliament in AD 1628 and initially he did not oppose King Charles although he was leading campaigner against the king’s bishops and their lack of religious toleration. When the Civil War started Cromwell’s ability as a leader and organiser led to his rapid promotion with the creation of the New Model army which became known as Roundheads by their opponents. This army started to triumph over the king’s forces after several lacklustre campaigns at the start of the campaign. By keeping control of London and the main sources of finance the Royalist forces were eventually forced to sue for peace.
King Charles though managed to escape and tried to reclaim his kingdom by raising fresh forces in Scotland. Defeated again he was brought back to London where he was tried and executed in AD 1649. The monarchy was abolished and initially the country was governed as a Republic under the Commonwealth. Rivalries however forced Cromwell to take over as Lord Protector in AD 1653. Although invited to become king Cromwell refused although many of the trappings of royalty were reinstated including Cromwell draped and laureate bust which appeared on milled coins minted that were minted between AD 1656 and 1658.
Cromwell’s campaigns against the Scots and particularly the Irish are well known. There were also a number of naval campaigns against the Dutch and Spanish which saw the resurgence of the Royal Navy and beginnings of what was to become the British Empire.

The post Oliver Cromwell AD 1653-1658 Silver Halfcrown AD 1658 appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Bust right / St George and Dragon

S3974B; 19mm, 4.00g

Grandson of George II he married Charlotte of Mecklenburg with whom he had 15 children. He remains our longest reigning king and is remembered as the king who lost the American colonies as well as for his madness. Nevertheless the country was transformed during his reign during which the Industrial Revolution largely took place during the reign. This resulted in an increase in trade and wealth. Great Britain emerged victorious from the Napoleonic Wars where victory at the naval battle of Trafalgar had given Britain supremacy at sea. This allowed the vast expansion of the British Empire which took place during the 19th Century.

Whilst little silver or copper coinage was issued during the reign there were five issues of gold guinea coinage minted before the great recoinage took place in AD 1816.

The post Edward VII AD 1902-1910 Gold Half Sovereign appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Draped bust left / Cruciform shields

S3575, 21mm, 4.17g

Hard to find in high grade, pleasing in hand.

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Anne was the second daughter of James II but unlike James remained a protestant. Married to George of Denmark she produced 17 children although none survived to take the throne. Anne presided over the Act of Union between Scotland and England in AD 1707. Her reign also saw a highly effective war against Louis XIV of France which was then the dominant power in Europe. During a highly effective campaign commanded by the Duke of Marlborough the French were beaten back and eventually sued for peace.

Bullion captured from the Spanish in Vigo bay was used to issue a number of gold and silver coins all of which have VIGO inscribed beneath the queens bust.

The post Anne AD 1702-1714 Gold Half Guinea AD 1714 appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust / Crowned cruciform of shields

S3463, 24mm, 8.34g

A high grade specimen, little wear and much lustre.

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1st issue

Laureate bust left/St George and Dragon

S3800; 22mm, 8.00g

Large scuff on obverse hence low price.

The post George IV AD 1820-1830 Gold Sovereign AD 1821 appeared first on Silbury Coins.

3rd laureate bust right / Crowned cruciform of shields, interlocked C’s in angles

S3365; 33mm, 14.36g

Charles II was the eldest son of Charles I and Henrietta Maria. Famous for hiding in an oak tree whilst being pursued by Cromwell’s troops before fleeing to the Continent. He was recalled in AD 1660 after the fall of the Protectorate. The Restoration commenced and although he married Catherine of Braganza he bore no legitimate heir. He is perhaps better known as the Merrie Monarch, for his love of pleasure and for his number of illegitimate offspring many of whom latter became part of the aristocracy.

The coinage was reformed early in his reign with the demise of hammered coinage which was replaced by high quality machine made milled coinage. New gold coinage introduced included the guinea which was first issued in AD 1663 and which continued in circulation until the Napoleonic wars nearly 140 years later.

The post Charles II AD 1660-1685 Silver Halfcrown AD 1670 appeared first on Silbury Coins.

AD 1797

Laureate head right / Britannia seated left

S3777; 35mm, 30.21g

High grade, beautiful copper colour toning, most attractive in hand.

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Grandson of George II he married Charlotte of Mecklenburg with whom he had 15 children. He remains our longest reigning king and is remembered as the king who lost the American colonies as well as for his madness. Nevertheless the country was transformed during his reign during which the Industrial Revolution largely took place during the reign. This resulted in an increase in trade and wealth. Great Britain emerged victorious from the Napoleonic Wars where victory at the naval battle of Trafalgar had given Britain supremacy at sea. This allowed the vast expansion of the British Empire which took place during the 19th Century.

Whilst little silver or copper coinage was issued during the reign there were five issues of gold guinea coinage minted before the great recoinage took place in AD 1816.

The post George III AD 1760-1820 Bronze Proof Penny AD 1797 appeared first on Silbury Coins.

AD 1665

Laureate bust left / Britannia seated left

24mm, 8.64g

a pleasing piece with old collection tone, small test cut (?) at 12 o’clock on obverse.

Charles II was the eldest son of Charles I and Henrietta Maria. Famous for hiding in an oak tree whilst being pursued by Cromwell’s troops before fleeing to the Continent. He was recalled in AD 1660 after the fall of the Protectorate. The Restoration commenced and although he married Catherine of Braganza he bore no legitimate heir. He is perhaps better known as the Merrie Monarch, for his love of pleasure and for his number of illegitimate offspring many of whom latter became part of the aristocracy.

The coinage was reformed early in his reign with the demise of hammered coinage which was replaced by high quality machine made milled coinage. New gold coinage introduced included the guinea which was first issued in AD 1663 and which continued in circulation until the Napoleonic wars nearly 140 years later.

The post Charles II AD 1660-1685 Silver Pattern Farthing AD 1665 appeared first on Silbury Coins.

AD 1797

Laureate head right / Britannia seated left

S3776; 41mm, 57.12g

High grade, most attractive in hand.

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Grandson of George II he married Charlotte of Mecklenburg with whom he had 15 children. He remains our longest reigning king and is remembered as the king who lost the American colonies as well as for his madness. Nevertheless the country was transformed during his reign during which the Industrial Revolution largely took place during the reign. This resulted in an increase in trade and wealth. Great Britain emerged victorious from the Napoleonic Wars where victory at the naval battle of Trafalgar had given Britain supremacy at sea. This allowed the vast expansion of the British Empire which took place during the 19th Century.

Whilst little silver or copper coinage was issued during the reign there were five issues of gold guinea coinage minted before the great recoinage took place in AD 1816.

The post George III AD 1760-1820 Bronzed Proof Two Pence AD 1797 appeared first on Silbury Coins.

AD 1763

Young laureate and draped bust right/Crowned cruciform of shields

S3742; 26mm, 6.16g

High grade and dark, old collection tone.

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Grandson of George II he married Charlotte of Mecklenburg with whom he had 15 children. He remains our longest reigning king and is remembered as the king who lost the American colonies as well as for his madness. Nevertheless the country was transformed during his reign during which the Industrial Revolution largely took place during the reign. This resulted in an increase in trade and wealth. Great Britain emerged victorious from the Napoleonic Wars where victory at the naval battle of Trafalgar had given Britain supremacy at sea. This allowed the vast expansion of the British Empire which took place during the 19th Century.

Whilst little silver or copper coinage was issued during the reign there were five issues of gold guinea coinage minted before the great recoinage took place in AD 1816.

The post George III AD 1760-1820 Silver Shilling AD 1763 Northumberland type appeared first on Silbury Coins.