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1652 MASSACHUSETTS
"PINE TREE" SHILLING -
NOE 20
Rarity: Extremely
Rare
Variety equivalents:
Breen 54
Notes:
The standard weight for a
Pine Tree Shilling is 72 grains.
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Images courtesy of Early
American History Auctions
Significant examples:
"Very Fine". Ex - Stearns
Collection (Mayflower Coin Auctions, December 2, 1966) - Robert Vlack -
Stack's "Hain Family Collection", January 2002, Lot 146, "1652
Pine Tree Shilling. Small Planchet. N.20, Cr.18-L. Very Fine. 62.7
gns. R-7 our best current estimate. Deep gray
in the fields, slightly lighter on the high points. Surfaces appear smooth
and hard to the naked eye. From the weight, probably clipped 300 years or
more ago. As usual for this rare variety, the obverse is off-center to the
top and the tips of SATHVSE run off the flan. The reverse is much better
centered. Softly struck (struck through?) at the top of the obverse and
reverse, the letters there soft. A careful study of the obverse will
reveal more breaks running to the rim than any one die should have to
suffer. Obverse scratched in several places.", sold for $3,737.50
"Fine" (illustrated
above). Ex - Early American History Auctions, Inc. Mail Bid Sale,
December 13, 2003, Lot 1113, "1652 MA
"Pine Tree" Shilling, Small Planchet, Noe 20, Fine. 65.0 grains.
An extremely rare and desirable example of the variety - the first we've
ever offered. A pleasing russet-gray example with some light granularity
and old scratches that do not impact the overall appearance to any great
degree. The dies on both sides were broken, thus resulting in some uneven
wear patterns, but the date and denomination are clear, as is most of the
tree and legends..."
Sources and/or
recommended reading:
"Walter
Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins" by
Walter Breen (purchase a copy by clicking on the title)
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