1651 Gold Unite Coin Commonwealth

BullionByPost are proud to present this wonderful example of British Numismatic history. This beautiful 1651 Commonwealth Unite gold coin features a wreath of palm and laurel, surrounding a shield bearing the cross of St. George. Around the edge is inscribed 'THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND' and a sun mintmark denoting it was struck at the London Mint. The reverse features conjoined shields featuring the St. George cross of England and the harp of Ireland, with an XX denoting the value of 20 shillings, the date 1651, and the phrase "GOD WITH US".

Unusually for British coins the design does not feature a bust of the reigning monarch for the simple reason the most recent monarch, Charles I, had been executed two years previously. For this short period of time the supreme legislative and judicial authority officially rested with the so called 'Rump Parliament' which remained after 231 members of the previously elected 'long parliament' had been purged for suspected support for the king. This state of affairs didn't last long however and in 1653 Parliament was completely dissolved, Oliver Cromwell was made 'Lord Protector' and British coinage returned to bearing someone's image.

Obverse
Shield bearing the cross of St. George within a wreath of palm and laurel (mm. sun). THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND.

Reverse
Conjoined shields bearing the cross of St. George and the Irish Harp, XX above and around, GOD WITH VS 1651.