Massachusetts '1652' Pine Tree Shilling, Mint State-62 (PCGS)
Circa 1667-1675, Noe 1, Large Flan, Ex Boyd-Ford

Noe 1, Crosby 12-I - Small tree with top pointing toward second S in MASATHVSETS, pellet at each side of the trunk, four roots below tree extending down to the right. (Rarity 2). Earlier reverse die state without the later horizontal die breaks. 72.2 grains per the Ford catalogue, 72.1 grains per the PCGS tag.

Struck on a broad planchet, typical of Noe 1, with only a text ornament and MA of MASATHVSETS struck barely off flan. The surfaces are lustrous and toned in vivid amber, red, blue and green, exactly as offered in the 2005 Ford sale, and an exciting departure from the typical olive and gray. There is a natural wave in the coin, imparted by the rocker press, and some striking weakness at the top of the pine tree and at the lower obverse rim.

PCGS reports a total of six Large Planchet Pine Tree Shillings certified as MS-62, with seven MS-63s and 3 MS-64s finer. Additionally, this is the only example of Noe 1, the "Large Planchet, Pellets" variety certified as MS-62, with none higher. However, considering the number of uncertified coins held in specialist collections, the PCGS Population Report is not a reliable reference for determining rarity and condition census rankings among the Pre-Federal issues. Nevertheless, this is a wonderful example of what many have called the quintessential colonial coin.

Provenance:

• F.C.C. Boyd
• John Ford (Stack's "Ford XII" 10/2005: 76 @ $23,000 as "Extremely Fine")