| Description |
1652 SHILNG Pine Tree Shilling, Large Planchet MS63 NGC. Noe-8, W-740, Salmon 7-E, R.4. 72.6 grains. Beautifully preserved and strongly centered on both sides, this Select specimen exhibits fantastic visual appeal. Even from a distance, hues of pink, peach, gold, lavender, and light blue can be observed on the lustrous surfaces. Some waviness is seen on the flan, and a couple of tiny rim imperfections are present near 6 o'clock on the obverse. The top of the tree points to the right upright of H, one of the characteristics of this Large Planchet variety. The die state of this example reveals a couple of the beads below the S at 1 o'clock largely absent. Another indication of the late die state is the missing punctuation between the N and M near 6 o'clock. On the reverse, the bottom of the 5 in the date is over the first I of XII. This reverse is known as the "Monogram NE" because the letters NE of NEW are combined, with the last slash in N providing the left frame of the E. A number of die breaks typically appear on the reverse of this variety, as is the case with this example, which also shows one of the most commonly seen breaks at the letters GL. This piece also exhibits a break at OM. Although it has been surmised that the transition between the Oak Tree and Pine Tree series took place in 1667 when the mint contract was renegotiated, there is no conclusive evidence to that point, nor is it known whether one series ended entirely before the next began. There appears to have been overlap to at least some degree between the end of the Oak Tree coinage and the beginning of the Pine Tree pieces, including similarities in some of the tree branches, along with shared reverses. Some have postulated that improvements in the minting process may have driven the design changes. This is simply an elegant coin, certain to elicit excitement among sophisticated collectors of early Massachusetts silver. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
Realized $30,550.00. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions. |
