 1652 Massachusetts Bay Colony. Oak Tree Threepence. Backward S's. N.23, Cr.1-A1, W.28. R-6 (rating reduced since the Hain sale). 14.2 gns. About Uncirculated. An outstanding specimen. The Noe Plate Coin. The Wurtzbach Plate Coin. One of the finest seen, beaten by a Choice Unc. and tied for technical grade with the 1991 ANS Exhibition coin but better than the three Stearns coins (one of which went to Hain), the NN 60th and Norweb sale pieces, and the two in the MHS (1970) auction. Both sides are toned in deep rich gray shades.
On the obverse the tree is mostly full and sharp even given the small size of the planchet. The inscription around is a little jumbled and soft at the lower right and left but can be mostly read nevertheless. On the reverse the denomination and date are clear and sharp and the inscription around is mostly full and bold. The piece was struck slightly off center on both sides leaving a partial outline of the die edge visible on the obverse and a much more pronounced one at the base of the reverse. Described by Wurtzbach on his collector's ticket as ''Unc. Gem piece. Cannot be improved as such excessively rare.'' This is the only variety with IN on the obverse.
Ex DeWitt Smith, Virgil Brand, Carl Wurtzbach, T. James Clarke, F.C.C. Boyd Collections.
| |
|
