1652 Shilling Oak Tree MS(PCGS#20)

1652 Shilling Oak Tree MS (PCGS#20)

The June 2010 Baltimore Auction

Lot Description: 1652 Massachusetts Bay Colony Oak Tree Shilling. W-520, Noe-13, Crosby 8-F. URS-6. AU-55 (PCGS). 61.7 grains. A very scarce die marriage, the extant population of the Noe-13 Oak Tree Shilling is thought to be fewer than 35 coins. The present example is the second-finest known, being surpassed in quality only by the primary coin in the Hain Family Collection. Both examples are finer than the Wurtzbach and Noe plate coins, other highly regarded representatives of this variety.<br /> Fully original with a lovely appearance, both sides of this piece exhibit light pale-gold and powder-blue highlights to dominant pearl-gray patina. The reverse is well centered in strike, while the obverse is drawn toward the 6 o'clock position (as typically seen for the die marriage). Only the tops of the letters MA and TS in MASATHVSETS and the word IN are partially off the flan, however, and all other major devices are boldly defined. The oak tree is particularly sharp, and all areas are free of worrisome blemishes. An important pedigree rounds out an impressive list of attributes for this Massachusetts Bay Colony piece.