An historically interesting piece and most collectible as such, somewhat scarce and less often seen available for sale. Cast in silver (27mm). Obverse: High relief bare-headed bust of Cromwell. Wearing decorated cuirass and high collar and with scarf looped over left shoulder. Engraver’s name “THO: SIMON·F” (Thomas Simon) below bust, legend surrounds, “OLIVERVS· DEI· GRA: REI PVB: ANGLIÆ· SCO· ET· HIB· &· PROTECTOR·”. Oliver, by the Grace of God, Protector of the Commonwealth/Republic of England, Scotland, Ireland and so on. Reverse: Laureate Lion sejant, supporting the Shield of Arms of the Protectorate of England, legend surrounds, “· PAX · QVÆRITVR · BELIO ·”. “Peace is sought through fighting/war”. Issued in commemoration of Oliver Cromwell’s ascension to Lord Protector on the 16th December 1653, the obverse dies were inspired by a minitature portrait by Cooper and engraved by Thomas Simon. Although in general are seen as cast and are relatively scarce in their own right, the original medals were struck and are very rare – the die of the reverse was, after a short use, broken across the middle, possibly accounting for the scarcity of struck examples.