 1652 Pine Tree Shilling. Large Planchet. Noe 4.5 (R-5). Backwards 'N'. Uncirculated. 73.8 grains. Here is a coin that has had nearly 350 years to acquire its exquisite blend of majestic silver-gray and golden russet toning. Fully Uncirculated, this specimen boasts the pebbly mint frost associated with high grade Massachusetts silver coins. Well-centered and very well struck everywhere; only some of the denticles are lacking definition, a result of the rocker press technology utilized to strike these coins. Planchet is quite round overall, while there is some angularity introduced by clipping to size at the Boston Mint. In addition, a small, inherent planchet dip is noted at the rim near 'L' of ENGLAND on the reverse, as is a minuscule, wedge-shaped planchet lamination at rim between 'S' and 'I' on the obverse that serves to hallmark this wonderfully preserved specimen of our nation's first domestically produced coinage. The opening in the right side of the 'O' of DOM is the sole identifying feature of Noe 4.5, which is one of those intermediate die states assigned an attribution number by Breen. The Hain collection contained a similarly graded specimen (lot 102), but that one had planchet and striking issues that are missing from the very attractive and problem-free specimen offered here.
Accompanying this lot is the charming if tattered collector's envelope with a short typewritten narrative of the Pine Tree Shilling in red and black ink.
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