 1652 Massachusetts Bay Colony. Pine Tree Sixpence. The Spiny Tree. N.32, Cr. 2-Oak D. R-6+. 33.8 gns. About Uncirculated. The Noe Plate Coin. Outstanding condition for one of these very scarce Spiny Tree Sixpences. Hain's was only Fine. Garrett's and Norweb's were both EF and the best one in Stearns was called AU at the time. This is the finest seen by the cataloguer. Both sides are bright silver in color with traces of iridescent rose and pale russet showing. The surfaces are bright and actually appear somewhat reflective. On the obverse the tree is complete and well struck with full root structure showing and all branches looking quite bristley. The inner beaded border is sound save for the lower right where it is a bit soft. The peripheral legend around is strong through MASATHV, begins to run off the flan at SE and is mostly missing thereafter.
On the reverse the central denomination and date are bold and sharp, the inner beaded border is complete all the way around and the peripheral legend is fully legible and is almost entirely on the flan save for the very top. Described by a prior owner on his collector's ticket as ''1652 Pine Tree sixpence. Fine. Spiny branches. Planchet too small for the size. Crosby plate 2 No. 21 shows a very poor specimen, the only one known to him. See pages 60-61. Parmelee sale No. 345 describes 'the finest specimen known' as Very Good.''
Ex David Proskey on June 10, 1903; F.C.C. Boyd Collection.
| |
|
