 1652 Massachusetts Bay Colony. Oak Tree Shilling. N.6, Cr.1a-D. R-7-. 71.3 gns. Extremely Fine. An outstanding specimen. Discounting the various intermediate die states of N.6 (so many of which have become collectable that something as clumsy as a Noe 6.1.1.1 is actually on want lists), this is the third finest example from these rare dies the cataloguer has seen after the Stearns Choice AU coin and Roper's AU. Norweb's EDS was a Choice EF but both of Hain's coins were VF to EF. The obverse is a fairly deep coin silver gray in color while the reverse is darker but with some brighter highlights and pale rose toning. Much sharper in the center of the obverse than seen on the Noe plate, the tree here is nearly complete, the die damage showing only in the left field and not at all disfiguring the outline and shape of the tree.
Letters in the peripheral legend around this side of the coin are sharp, especially for the variety. Nicely sharp on the reverse as expected, Noe-6 usually comes really well struck on this side. Obverse well centered with the tops of almost all letters in the legend on the flan. Reverse perfectly centered as expected. No important defects requiring mention, just a few light scratches here and there principally on the obverse periphery. Obverse state about as described, the die clearly clashed but not as damaged as seen on the Noe plate; reverse die a little earlier than on the Noe plate as well, the breaks on the right not as developed here. Rare: there was no N.6 or any of its states in New Netherlands 48th, 59th, or 60th sales or in our own Oechsner auction.
Ex Lorin G. Parmelee Collection (New York Coin and Stamp Company, June 25, 1890, lot 310); John G. Mills Collection (S.H. & H. Chapman, April 27, 1904, lot 8); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd Collections.
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