 1652 Massachusetts Bay Colony. Pine Tree Shilling. Large Planchet. Backwards N. N.4, Cr.5-B.1. R-4. 72.7 gns. Uncirculated. Another very lovely example of this variety. On a par for technical grade with both Unc Hain coins (ex Roper and ex Norweb) and far nicer than Picker's. Both sides of this example are toned in that rich gray and gold combination that seems to characterize some of the Pine Tree shilling varieties. On this specimen the letters in the obverse legend are off to the left but still can be fully read around and the tree is sharp and bold.
The reverse as expected is better centered with the tops of almost all the letters completely on flan. There are suggestive hints of original mint lustre when the piece is angled to the light, particularly on the back. Top of reverse seems scraped but this is actually a result of the piece going through the roller dies, elongating the letters in AND and the dots in the outer beaded border above them. Struck from the broken state of the reverse with die breaks forming in the left reverse field. Described by a previous owner on his collector's ticket as ''Uncirculated. Crosby Pl. II No. I. This is slightly more clipped but a finer piece.''
Ex F.C.C. Boyd Collection.
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