British and Scottish Coins and Countermarked Tokens from the Collection of the late Arthur Chesser

Oliver Cromwell, Halfcrown, 1656, reads hi (Lessen H25; ESC 446; S 3227). Nearly extremely fine, lightly toned, very rare
£5,000-6,000

It is thought that the 1656 halfcrowns were distributed at a high social level, possibly as an experiment for general circulation, hence they became souvenirs or pocket pieces (Lessen, BNJ 1966, p.169) and most exhibit considerable wear (cf. DNW 12 June 2013, lot 2)