Owner Comments:
Pictured above, is a Massachusetts (spelled MASATHVSETS on the coin) Oak Tree Shilling, distinguished by the word "IN" appearing on the left side of the obverse, graded AU 50 by PCGS. The piece weighs 70.6 grains, and has been variously categorized as Crosby 9-H; Noe-1; Salmon 1-A; and W-430. This early die state specimen boasts an impressive numismatic provenance extending back to the early 1900s: S. H. + H. Chapman's Sale of the Harlan P. Smith Collection of 5/1906, Lot 4; S. H. Chapman's Sale of the William Gable Collection 5/1914, Lot 149; Stack's private sale 5/12/87; Stack's Sale of the Hain Family Collection of Mass. Silver Coins 1/2002, Lot 13; The Ross Family Collection 11/18/2024, Lot 1104; and Coin Rarities Online (John Agree) 11/2024.
The Massachusetts Oak Tree Silver coins were produced by John Hull and Robert Sanderson of the Massachusetts Bay Colony Mint between 1660 and1667. The 5 major varieties of Oak Tree Shillings are: 1) Those with the word "IN" on the left side of the obverse, having an approximate survival rate of between 200 to 500 pieces; 2) Those with the word "IN" at the bottom of the obverse; 3) Those with the typical reverse legend "AN DOM" (standing for Anno Domini or A.D.) shortened to "ANDO"; 4) The Ghost Tree variety, with all elements of the tree thin, spindly, ostensibly sitting in a depression, and sometimes incuse in appearance on later die states; and 5) The Spiny Tree, sporting an unusual thorny appearance, with sharp spikes instead of leaves.
The Oak Tree Shillings were created using the rocker press method of production. Many planchets exhibit inherent flaws, others were improperly cut or punched from strip of silver, while other coins were adversely effected by the striking processes - all contributing to the uniqueness and quaintness of these pieces.