Pine Tree Shilling

Many were bent on the late 17th century as witch pieces. Was thought a bent silver coin would ward off witches or unlucky spells I’ve seen several that were similarly bent

 

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I made $150 on it and moved it along. Agreed it was worth having plugged. I just want an original problem free for myself no hole I’d have kept it

 

I hadn't heard Mainebill's numismyth before. However, numisfact, these were created on a rocker press - that is, they were minted bent. Yours may not have been bent intentionally: it was made that way. In fact, these are sometimes "flattened" which causes other problems with the TPGs.

Think of this as a very similar process as elongated cents - every single one of those has a characteristic bend. Circulate that, and guess what the wear pattern will be?

Because the pine tree shillings were made on a rocker press (intentionally bent), they often have unusual wear patterns like you describe.

Read more about them here:

http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v07n42a09.html
http://coinauctionshelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3969
https://coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/ColCoinIntros/OakTree.intro.html

 

Nice!

 

The problem with the pricing is those damn decimal points. They need to move left a place or two ....

 

As far as I know, this only applies to the large size Pine Tree shillings, and that the small size coins were made later using a screw press.

 

nice one, I want it!

 

I was just looking at sold listings on ebay to see what they are going for and saw two bad fakes that just sold. One went for over $200 and the other for over $300.

 

Smh. I wish the law was more enforceable. At least with eBay you can get your money back with very little difficulty.

 

I hadn't heard the witch pieces before, so I did a little more digging. The small size shillings were indeed struck on a screw press (I didn't know that - I thought they were all rocker press).

Apparently, people thought that these were witch pieces before they understood that they were minted on a rocker press. So, the "witch piece" part is in fact a myth: https://coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/FAQ/witchpieces.html

 

Whats the edge damage? 10 oclock?! Its full weight atleast. But its missing so much of the of the lettering. I kinda like that holed noe 19! Its a r5 variety. Ive had two of that variety but both with later die characteristics with the weakness around the bottom left of the tree and the xi(“i”) . The hole doesnt bother me one bit! Id hate to see it filled!

 

Nice to see another Mainer on here!

 

Good to see too there’s been a few over the years. I’ve been around awhile just took a break

 

Bill i remember seeing your pine tree before. It fit nicely in this persons collection.

 

Omg that’s a killer collection of holed coins. A holed Gobrecht!! That’s a neat group