1656 Gold Broad (20 shillings) – Oliver Cromwell

The 1656 Gold Broad (20 shillings) - Oliver Cromwell

The Gold Broad was only issued in 1656 and was denominated as 20 shillings, marking it as an ancestor of the guinea and sovereign. It has a diameter of 29 or 30mm and a weight of 9.0 to 9.1g. It was designed by Thomas Simon, who was apparently also known as Thomas Symonds.

The Broad was struck in Blondeau's Mint, Drury House, London. Peter (Pierre) Blondeau was a French Moneyer (a private individual who is officially permitted to mint money). Blondeau produced milled coinage and invented new techniques to make coins, such as edge lettering. This didn't always go well with other English Moneyers that worked for the Mint and the fear of reprisal was the reason Blondeau moved to Drury House as the Tower Mint couldn't guarantee the security of his machines. Cromwell was a big fan of Blondeau but when Cromwell died in 1658, Blondeau thought it safer to move back to France.

The Reverse shows the Crowned Shield of the Protectorate, showing the arms of the Commonwealth. The inscription "PAX QVAERITVR BELLO" means "Peace is sought through war". Dated 1656.

The Obverse shows a Laureated bust of Oliver Cromwell. The legend is "OLIVAR D G R P ANG SCO HIB &c PRO" meaning "Oliver, by the Grace of God, of the Republic of England, Scotland, Ireland etc., Protector".

The Gold Broad is an expensive coin, and may cost over £30,000.

There is a Piedfort version of the Broad denominated at 50 shillings. There is also half-broad but this may have been struck much later than the 1656 date. Both are rare.

Image credit: CNGCoins

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