A rare gold coin, otherwise known as a broad, from the short-lived "reign" of Oliver Cromwell is to sell at a February 18 auction in the UK.
 Milled Cromwellian coins, such as this one, were introduced as the previous hammered variety were too easy to forge |
Holding an estimate of £7,000-9,000 ($11,000-14,000), the coin will undoubtedly attract strong attention. Coins from this period are very scarce due to the short amount of time that Cromwell reigned as "lord protector".
The coin was issued in 1656 and struck by Pierre Blondeau from dies designed by Thomas Simon. Worth 20 shillings, it bears a portrait of the Puritan leader on the obverse with a crowned shield of the protectorate on the reverse.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a Charles I coin for sale that was struck in the besieged city of Carlisle during the English civil war, from which Cromwell would emerge the victor.
