| Slot: |
Oak Tree Twopence |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
EARLY AMERICAN - PRE-DECLARATION 1616-1775 |
| Item Description: |
2P 1662 SMALL 2 OAK TREE MASSACHUSETTS (12.0gr.) |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 62 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Numismatic scholar Walter Breen estimated that from 5,000 to 10,000 examples may have been coined of the Oak Tree two pence, though no such records have been located. Issued between 1662 and 1667, this is the only Massachusetts tree issue to not bear the date 1652. The specimen presented here features a Small 2 in its date. Well centered, and with nearly full legends, this coin is extremely rare in such fine condition. It weighs exactly 12 grains and exhibits lustrous surfaces overlaid with deep gold and iridescent toning. In all likelihood, this is the finest example known.
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| Slot: |
Oak Tree Sixpence |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
EARLY AMERICAN - PRE-DECLARATION 1616-1775 |
| Item Description: |
6P 1652 'IN'OBV OAK TREE MASSACHUSETTS (34.1gr.) |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
The Oak Tree series of Massachusetts silver coinage was issued 1660-67, though the specimen presented here is believed to have been coined near the end of that period. Described as transitional with the succeeding Pine Tree issues, this variety features a normal, rather than transposed, letter ‘S’ in the obverse legend. Sharply struck and almost perfectly centered, this lovely coin is as close to the ideal as this issue comes. A lustrous, undamaged planchet, toned evenly to a charming slate gray, adds to this rare coin’s aesthetic value. It is easily among the finest examples known.
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| Slot: |
Oak Tree Shilling |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
EARLY AMERICAN - PRE-DECLARATION 1616-1775 |
| Item Description: |
1S 1652'IN'BOT OAK TREE MASSACHUSETTS CHAPMAN (68.8gr.) |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 66 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
The chronology of the Massachusetts silver coinage is not known with absolute certainty, but the Oak Tree pieces are believed to have been issued roughly 1652-62. This wonderful specimen of Noe-5 is immediately identifiable by having letter N of IN centered directly beneath the tree. Weighing 68.8 grains, this handsome gem is well centered and boldly struck, always rare features in these early coins. Toned to a fine pewter color, this beauty carries an illustrious pedigree. It appeared in the Chapman Bros. very first auction sale in 1879, and it is a gem of unsurpassed quality.
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| Slot: |
Pine Tree Threepence |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
EARLY AMERICAN - PRE-DECLARATION 1616-1775 |
| Item Description: |
3P 1652 NO PELS PINE TREE MASSACHUSETTS (18.2gr.) |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
The three pence piece denomination was coined for all three series of the Massachusetts silver issues. This specimen, though dated 1652, has been attributed to c.1667, at the beginning of the Pine Tree series. Weighing 18.2 grains, this choice specimen displays no pellets flaking the tree trunk. Struck on a smooth, large planchet, this very rare coin features a nearly complete obverse legend, while its reverse lettering is entirely visible. Mint luster is readily seen beneath even, rich toning of slate gray. This is an extremely beautiful specimen and most likely the finest known.
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| Slot: |
Pine Tree Sixpence |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
EARLY AMERICAN - PRE-DECLARATION 1616-1775 |
| Item Description: |
6P 1652 PELLETS PINE TREE MASSACHUSETTS (33.5gr.) |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Like the fellow members of this extraordinary grouping of Massachusetts silver coins, this piece has a pleasing original gunmetal gray hue. It is very sharply struck, although the obverse veers slightly off-center to the north while the reverse is well-centered – a typical attribute of this coin’s particular die marriage. While shillings are more widely available than sixpence, the Pine Tree Sixpence with Pellets variety is said to be the most “common” of the Massachusetts Sixpence. Regardless, the condition of this coin is very uncommon. It is the finest graded example of the type graded by NGC and a strong candidate for the finest known.
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| Slot: |
Pine Tree Shilling |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
EARLY AMERICAN - PRE-DECLARATION 1616-1775 |
| Item Description: |
1S 1652 PELLETS PINE TREE MASSACHUSETTS (75.5gr.) |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 67 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
The Pine Tree Shilling is perhaps the coin most identified with America’s colonial past. It was certainly the most widely produced of the successful Massachusetts silver coinage. This superb gem is the epitome of quality and a perfect representative of this historic issue. Sharply struck on a broad flan, all of its legends are complete. An example of Noe-1, it weighs 75.5 grains. This beauty features smooth, lustrous surfaces and delightful golden toning. Whether preserved by design or by mere chance, this lovely specimen is undoubtedly the finest known of its type.
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| Slot: |
Copper Cent |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
MASSACHUSETTS - COPPER |
| Item Description: |
1C 1788 NO PERIOD MASSACHUSETTS |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 66 Red Brown |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Since so few colonial copper coins retain any of their mint red color, the description of this coin must begin there. The protected areas surrounding the devices and legends display a rich red color, original and undiminished since this coin was made 222 years ago. Its color and vibrancy are unmatched on any other example of the type. Often planchet abrasion and wear efface the word CENT emblazoned on the shield atop the eagle’s breast. That word is so clear on this coin, as is every other design detail, that it’s clear why this coin was held aside from commerce and preserved as a memento of this coinage.
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| Slot: |
Copper Half Cent |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
MASSACHUSETTS - COPPER |
| Item Description: |
1/2C 1788 MASSACHUSETTS |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 66 Brown |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
The Massachusetts half cents and cents of 1787 and 1788 comprise the first coinage issue to bear the word “cent” as established by Congress. Even though the issue was short lived, its design and style is so uniquely American in character that these coins are always popular with collectors. The obverse shows and Indian with a bow and the reverse shows an eagle, a prescient design selection that would be followed on a great many Federal issues in the years to come. The quality of this example is breathtaking, in a way that the photo does not do justice. Its color is an even chocolate hue, the only appreciably change in its appearance since it was struck. Only some as made planchet abrasion, as always seen, detracts from what is a strong contender for the title of finest known.
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