Hi All, Just figured I'd throw this out for some feedback, seems to be a match for the Noe-28 variety Three Pence, I read about new varieties #s 30 and 31, but can find no images or diagnostics for these. The 'M' on my example appears inverted, but the other Noe-28s I find images of are weak in this area. It looks like the details on this dirty silver seem pretty good when compared to example photos I find. Opinions on value and possible different variety attribution would be appreciated. Thanks for looking, Herbie. NOE- 28 EXAMPLES:
It is .925 silver minted by John Hull Boston Ma CA 1655-1665. This is a coin that rested in seaside dirt for 300 years or so and has not been 'Cleaned'.
The 'M' on the Noe 28 pictured in the QDB Encyclopedia is clearly not inverted. Other details on your coin appear to match Noe 28, but with the crud covering the coin it is very difficult to verify. You would need to carefully remove sone of the dirt adhering for a better verification. QDB also mentions a Noe 29 with the 'M' beginning at 8 o'clock rather than 7 o'clock as in Noe 28. Reverse is the same as Noe 28. Extremely rare. I agree though that for a silver coin, the level of dirt and appearance is unusual. I have found 2000 year old silver coins and none looked that cruddy. Intriguing...
Thank you Eduard, Great information, please tell me about the QBD encyclopedia, I come up with no relevant results when I search for it. The iron ridden salt environment where this was found is the cause of the adhering layer, I have recovered five Mass Silvers here.(site is a colonial era boatyard and tavern) Note below a Noe-1 Pine Shilling recovered from the site, severe die break around date as seen on other late strikes of this variety is visible and not something that would be included on a reproduction. I am not comfortable sending my coins out for restoration and cleaning, nor to undertake it myself. I appreciate your research and thoughts. Regards, Herbie.
What about NCS (I hope thats the right one I'm thinking of) then sending it to PCGS to get it attributed?
Herbie, sorry, I should have been more explicit about the QDB Encyclopedia. This is the 'Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins' published by Whitman and authored by Q. David Bowers. An invaluable resource for colonial and pre-federal coin collectors. It should be easy to find in the net/Ebay. Here is one offered right now: http://www.ebay.com/itm/WHITMAN-ENC...509?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4617f9ebc5 The Notre Dame collection website is an additional valuable resource for colonial issues. I am less familiar with that, however. As you say, the rough marine environment may have caused that stubborn adhering oxide layer. NCS could be an option for restoration? I wish you all the luck with that coin. It seems a very interesting (and rare) find.
Thanks VDB and Eduard, I was unaware of the David Bowers book, it looks to be a nice addition to the shelves and the cost is reasonable. The ND site has provided many hours of enjoyable reading and has been a great learning tool for me. I have communicated with Dr Mossman regarding the numerous GII period CFTs and William Woods coinage that have been found in my area. I am understanding that assigning value to a coin only through photos is difficult, and nigh impossible for one in this condition and without verification. I've looked at NCS services, I have three R-6 and several R-5 coins that could use conservation, my issue with this is two copper coins that I have seen before and after photos using this service that IMO were better off in their unconserved condition. I appreciate your help and thoughts, best wishes, Herbie.
what about soaking them in distilled water? pretty harmless to try and might produce some results. I dont know anything about this particular area of coins, but i think that would be a reasonable first step when trying to tidy them up a bit without damaging them
