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The Massachusetts Oak Tree silver coins were produced by John Hull and Robert Sanderson at the Massachusetts Bay Colony Mint between 1660 and 1667. Denominations include the distinctive two pence dated 1662, three pence, six pence, and shilling.
The piece pictured above, dated 1652, the founding year of the mint, weighs 18.6 grains, and has been graded XF 45 by PCGS, with a CAC sticker affixed. It has been variously categorized as: Noe 27, Crosby 5-B, Salmon 5-Aii, and W-300. The coin sports an impressive provenance: Pine Tree Rare Coin Auctions April 1974, Promised Lands Sale, Lot #199; Lester Merkin; Stack's March 2015 sale of the Henry P. Kendall Foundation Collection, Lot #2354; Anthony Terranova; Sydney F. Martin; and John Agree (Coin Rarities Online), 2025.
This three pence features an unusually broad planchet, measuring 18.8mm x 18.3mm. Its rarity has been estimated at URS 6, with about 17-32 examples extant. In cataloging this particular piece in 1974, Walter Breen described it as: an outstanding example, easily one of the finest three pence known." Anthony Terranova concluded: "Definitely Top 3 or 4".
The Oak Tree Three Pence resulted from 7 different die combinations, with the following Noe designations: Noe 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 35, and various intermediary stages. The word "MASATHVSETS" was positioned in different locations, depending on the variety. The interesting Noe 23 is distinguished by the "S"s being punched backward on the coin's obverse.
Over the years, some die varieties have been determined to be merely different die states. Breen attributed this to the repeated regrinding of the same dies to remove clash marks, rust, cracks, or other flaws; and re-engraving of letters, numerals, and branches thus weakened.
Noe 27 three pence, usually struck slightly off center, are distinguished by having no "IN" in the obverse legend. Five clearly defined roots protrude downward and to the left, from beneath the oak tree.