1652 MASSACHUSETTS
"PINE TREE" THREEPENCE -
NOE 36

Rarity: Very Scarce

Notes:
Using a 72 grain standard for the Pine Tree Shillings, the full weight of an Pine Tree Threepence is expected to be 18 grains.

Images courtesy of Early American History Auctions, Inc.

Significant examples:
"AU-55, Spot Tooled".  Ex - Wesley Van Olden - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc. "Long Beach Sale", September 18-20, 2003, Lot 5009, illustrated, "...Noe-36, Crosby 2a-B, R.4. 15.4 grains. Distinguished from Noe-37 from the shape of the H on the obverse. Nearly imperceptibly tooled between MA in MASATHVSETS. A sharply detailed example with ample mint luster and attractive pastel mauve and gold patina. A couple of faint pinscratches in the centers do not affect the eye appeal. The coin is slightly buckled, as made..."

Recent appearances
PCGS Very Fine-20.  Ex - Superior Stamp & Coin's "The ANA 2000 National Money Show Auction", March 2-3, 2000, Lot 1, plated, "Struck with nearly head-to-head die orientation, about 350 degrees...14.5 grains."

"Very Good to Fine".  Ex - 1947 ANA Convention sale in Buffalo, New York, Lot 566, sold for $20 - John Jay Pittman - David Akers Numismatics, Inc. "John Jay Pittman Collection - Part One", October 21-23, 1997, Lot 108, illustrated, "17.8 grains".

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"The Silver Coinage of Massachusetts" by Sydney P. Noe

Images courtesy of Heritage Numismatic Auctions

"Philadelphia 2000" Sale, August 6-7, 2000, Lot 5369, "VF 30. Noe-36. 16.3 grains", sold for $1,495.00.

This one appears to have been repaired (notice the length of the upper crossbar on the first T of MASSACHVSETTS and the shape of the D in ENGLAND).

Images courtesy of Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.

PCGS AU-55 (illustrated above).  Ex - Paul Arthur Norris- Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Pre-Long Beach Sale", September 23 & 24, 2002, Lot 7, illustrated, where it was described as follows: "15.4 grains. PCGS graded AU-55. Pleasing gunmetal gray in color, with excellent surfaces throughout. One minor straight edge above the rosette to the M, otherwise the planchet is very round and choice. As to the strike, we note sharp details on all but the D of ENGLAND on the reverse. Further, substantial die lines and engraving slips are plainly visible on this specimen, and there is no trace of the rim break at AS..."

The key to the die state of this example may be the blob of metal on the first T of MASSACHVSETTS.  This may have led to the heavy grinding that occurred later.

Images courtesy of Anthony Terranova

This appears to be either a late state of the dies or a poorly impressed specimen (I lean towards a late state of the dies).  Compare the obverse details of this coin with those illustrated above - see how the crossbar is missing in the first A of MASSACHUSETTS and how beads of the inner circle are no longer connected?  The thinness of the lettering on the obverse (tree side) suggest a heavy grinding-down of the die.