Description
Commonwealth (1649-60), Pattern Halfcrown, 1651, mintmark Sun obverse only, milled coinage by Pierre Blondeau. English shield within laurel and palm branch, legends in English as opposed to Latin surrounding THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND. Rev, conjoined English and Irish shields, value of denomination above II.VI, date at top, legend reads GOD WITH VS. Edge inscription TRVTH. AND. PEACE 1651 PETRVS BLONDÆVS INVENTOR FECIT,14.95 (N.2732; ESC 444 R2).
A heavily collected type within the Commonwealth pattern series, Blondeau renowned for his skill and prowess in early milled coinage. A well struck example with even cabinet toning, good detail in the cross hatching of the English shields, the Irish harp strings quickly visible. Bold very fine for type, with underlying golden mint brilliance, from the denticles inwards to the central designs, a complete example. A striking example with an impressive pedigree.
Ex Robert Tonner and Tom May collections, Noble Numismatics Sale 99, lot 2407.
Ex. Spink & Son
Ex. Captain Lawrence Collection, 20th May 1958, [with two supporting Spink tickets in place]
