 1652 Massachusetts Bay Colony. Oak Tree Sixpence. N.20, Cr.1a-D. R-6. 33.0 gns. Very Fine. The obverse is a nice medium coin silver gray in color with some areas of iridescent russet showing. The reverse is a more even combination of iridescent russet-gold and light gray. On the obverse the tree and shrubs are mostly sharp and clear, there is some root structure visible and the shrubs are mostly bold. The letters in the legend around are sharp everywhere save for at the extreme left. On the reverse the central detail is bold and the letters in the peripheral legend are mostly clear and sharp. Obverse slightly off center to the top leaving a wide border of extra metal beyond the outer beads at the bottom. Reverse slightly off center to the right leaving extra metal showing beyond the beads at the left.
Some letters on the obverse run close to the edge of the flan, some on the reverse run up to and over (ANO). Horizontal marks through the lower left central field on the obverse engaging the first shrub and trunk beyond. Planchet clipped at left on the obverse, as made. Annotated on its collector's ticket as ''Sixpence. Tree with two saplings. Top branch points to left foot of H. Reverse. Bottom of 2 in line with right foot of N and I of date opposite W. Very Fine.'' A pleasing example of a variety that usually comes quite worn or damaged like the two holed Stearns coins and the scratched MHS (1970) piece. This is a rare variety that was not represented in the Norweb, NN trio (48th, 59th and 60th sales) or the Picker sales.
Ex Harlan Page Smith Collection (S.H. & H. Chapman, May 8, 1906, lot 5); F.C.C. Boyd Collection.
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