This reproduction Oliver Cromwell Shilling is moulded directly from an original coin and is made from lead-free pewter.
Housed in specially designed packaging, the coin pack features historical information about the coins, the English Civil War, Charles I and Oliver Cromwell. The shilling has an inscription that translates to 'Peace is Sought by War.' The obverse of the coin has a bust of Oliver Cromwell and the reverse has a coat of arms.
Charles I was born on 19 November 1600 and became heir to the throne after the death of his older brother Henry in 1612. After the death of his father, James I, in 1625 Charles acceded to the throne. Charles believed in the Divine Right of Kings and as a result, he constantly quarrelled with his parliaments and ruled without one for 11 years.
Civil war broke out when Charles left London and raised his standard at Nottingham. A series of battles between Parliamentarians (Roundheads) and the King's Royalists (Cavaliers) began. At first, the Royalists defeated the Parliamentary armies, but Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army finally defeated Charles at Naseby in 1645.
In 1649, Charles was put on trial for treason and sentenced to death. He was executed on 30 January 1649 and the monarchy was replaced with the Commonwealth (1649-53) and then the Protectorate (1653-59), under Oliver Cromwell’s rule.
