 1652 Massachusetts Bay Colony. Oak Tree Shilling. N.1, Cr.9-H, W.20. R-3. 69.8 gns. Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated. A third lovely example, far nicer than most others seen. Lovely light gray and iridescent blue and gold on the obverse, deeper gray and richer iridescent gold on the reverse. Full tree, roots and some internal trunk structure visible, branch on lower right a little soft but still fully legible. Most letters in the legend on both sides a little soft (as made) particularly on the left and right sides of the reverse where the cutter reduced the size of the planchet to approach the correct weight for the denomination. Just about perfectly centered on both sides and clearly carefully clipped at the Boston Mint to create a piece of pleasing appearance. All letters in the obverse and reverse legends on the flan, those soft and partially off now, a result of the clipping as described. Light striations on the left and right obverse (also both the result of the clipping). Reverse die perfect, no break through ND.
Ex F.C.C. Boyd Collection.
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