New Purchase: 1652 Massachusetts Pine Tree Shilling

Ok guys, here is a coin which I have wanted for a looong time to round up my Colonial collection. A true piece of early american history from an area of the U.S which I visit regularly and really like.

I do not have the coin in-hand - These are the auctioneers' pictures. So I cannot appreciate the toning, weight etc to see if cleaned, clipped etc. It is the Noe-16
variety, R-2. First thing I'll do when it arrives is to weigh it, but it does not look obviously clipped.

Please let me know what you all think. Would very much appreciate your comments.

Regards,

Eduard

 

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I am speechless.

 

i looked the coin up in my red book and the coin you have displayed here looks alot better than any of the examples in my red book. a nice addition to your collection.

 

Eduard,

You seem to outdo yourself with each purchase. Congrats on a great addition to your already stunning collection. Thanks for sharing.

 

In a word:
WOW!

Do you need any help studying it?

I am available.

 

Wow ! :bigeyes:

You da man. Eduard, I am so glad you are on this board. You've taught me a valuable lesson - never play "Keepin' up with the Joneses" with Eduard !

I think there's an historical tie-in with this coinage and the British political upheaval of the 1640s. Have you ever read "In Yankee Doodle's Pocket" ? Interesting book about history vis a vis coinage during the colonial period. Toad turned me on to it, so you know it's gotta be good.

 

Exceptional planchet and a well centered strike. :thumb: Hard to find one with both. :goofer:

Fine'r said something about the history surrounding these and the British upheaval that went down around 1640 and I look at the small change shortage in England in the late 1640's to the early 1670's and I figure the Colonies suffered a coinage shortage during that time as well, besides the fact the King didn't want us having money to begin with. :secret:

I love it! :eat:

Ribbit

 

I have been in the market for one of these as well. These really are great little pieces!! This one looks exceptional! Congrats!

 

I believe the political upheaval he is referring to was the deposing of Charles I in 1649 or 1650 (Beheaded I believe) and the establishment of the English Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. In effect ngland was in the midst of a Civil War. That gave the American Colonists their chance. The King had retained unto the crown the privilege of coinage, but no coins were being provided for th colonies. With the establishment of the Commonwealth the colonists were able to argue that there was no king on the throne to hold the coining privilege and they were able to strike their own coins.

After Charles II came to the throne he called them on the carpet for the coinage. They told him that the tree on the coin represented the great oak tree in which he had hidden out in to escape Cromwell's forces and that it was a tribute to him. This mollified him and he did not order punishment for the colonists, but did order that the coinage must stop. It didn't but since all the coinage was dated 1652 (except the 1662 two pence) it couldn't be proven that the Royal order was being disobeyed.

 

Another great colonial (I just got finished looking at the Hibernia in another post.)
Enough detail to give a looker a good impression of the coin.

 

I love it. I will eventually one day own one like that.

 

That is really stunning. I can't wait to see your own pics of it!!!

 

Very nice. Another fine trophy piece. :thumb:

 

Eduard,

I can't say much else other than "WOW, WOW, WOW! It is always a pleasure and honor to be able to view another one of your' amazing and rare coins!


Frank

 

Thank you all for you comments.
This is a coin i have always wanted, and when this one came up at a Local (Kuenker) auction, I thought I'd go for it.
I wanted to drive up to the auction venue to inspect it in person, specially the toning and surface quality, but was unable to. It seems to be a wholesome specimen though, and from experience, Kuenker's pictures tend to lighten up the toning so its is probably darker than the pictures show. Can't wait to have it in-hand.

P.S- Hunstman53, nice to hear from you again, Frank!

Regards,

Eduard

 

I found I had this same coin until I found it had "COPY" marked in small print on the back of it.

 

I am assuming that is quite an expensive coin based on people's responses. What is the mintage on that- I am guessing under a thousand, but no idea.

 

Don't know about mintage, but it's rare because it's very old and few survived. Even the cleaned ones sells for thousands. Great coin, lots of history too.

 

Sweet. Traci

 

Coin Arrived Today!

I finally received the coin today, and was able to take a few pictures.

As i had thought, it is darker in tone than the auctioneers pictures showed, and looks fully original. It has that 'olde looke' which conveys well the history of this coinage, and its service in the channels of commerce in the 17th century Massachusetts Bay colony.

From what I have read, this type was originally called the Boston Shilling, and was coined as part of Mintmaster John Hulls second contract, sometime between 1667-1674. Compared to the earlier (and scarcer) Willow Tree and Oak tree types, the Pine Tree shilling was coined in far larger numbers.

Having inspected the coin in hand I can say that i am quite satisfied. Grade-wise it is probably a Fine 12 to Fine 15, taking the small obverse surface marks into account. It certainly marks a milestone in my collection of U.S coins, and I am very glad to have it.

Regards,

Eduard