 1652 Massachusetts Bay Colony. Pine Tree Shilling. Large Planchet. Noe 2 (R-5). The Straight Tree. 71.4 gns. Choice Extremely Fine, and a simply splendid example. Surfaces are a rich, steely blue and gray tone - exactly the hues that bring out the beauty in these first silver coins struck in the colonies. Fields are glittering with the remains of original mint lustre on both sides, which host a few minor marks from this coin's brief circulation life. Edge is somewhat round at the left obverse but on the right exhibits the characteristic angularity seen on these majestic large planchet issues. The planchet also exhibits the commonly encountered 'S'-shaped wave, a result of being struck in a rocker press and not from use as a ''witch piece,'' which is actually a myth perpetuated by generations of numismatists and non-numismatists alike.
''Large Planchet Pines'' like the present coin are ideal for inclusion in a type set, as the broad surface allows the simple, New England legends and Pine Tree to be displayed at their finest.
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