 1652 Massachusetts Bay Colony. Oak Tree Threepence. N.27, Cr.5-B. R-5. 16.2 gns. Choice Extremely Fine. An exceptional specimen. The Noe Plate Coin. The obverse and reverse are both toned in a rich and even coin silver gray shade. The tree is full and sharp, the root structure shows and the large shrub at right and smaller one at left are bold. There are even hints of some internal trunk detail visible. The peripheral legend around is fully legible and completely on the flan, but is soft in two places due to the state of the die.
On the reverse the denomination and date are sharp and the letters in the peripheral legend around are fully legible if soft at the upper right and along the left side. The planchet is somewhat oval in appearance. The piece has a very pleasing visual appeal. Full reverse impression shows, quite unusual on an N.27 which ordinarily has a miserable looking back because the die had been worn out by the time it was used to make the variety. The cataloguer remembers only one other with a full reverse impression, the MHS (1970) coin for which Lester Merkin paid a high $420.
Ex George J. Bauer, T. James Clarke, F.C.C. Boyd Collections.
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