Triton XVII, Lot: 1521. Estimate $1000. Sold for $2200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

COMMONWEALTH. Oliver Cromwell. Lord Protector, 1653-1658. AR Medal (49mm, 42.92 g, 12h). Commemorating the Death of Oliver Cromwell, 1658. Of Dutch manufacture. OLIVAR • D • G • RP • ANG • SCO • HIBERNIÆ • PROTECTOR, laureate and armored bust left / NON • DEFITIENT • OLIVA • SEP • 3 • 1658 •, shepherd standing below olive tree, tending to his flock. Van Loon II 420; MI 435/85; Eimer 200. EF, toned, a few minor hairlines under tones. Rare.

From the Jonathan H. Kagan Collection.

The inspiration for this medal was the very rare small medal by Thomas Simon, MI 433/82, worn by mourners at Cromwell’s funeral. The reverse alludes to the succession of Cromwell’s son, Richard, to the Protectorate.