Colonials
1652 SHILNG Pine Tree Shilling, Large Planchet MS64 PCGS. CAC. Crosby 5-B1, Noe-4, R.4. 69.8 gns. Ex: Ford. Reversed first N in ENGLAND. Noe-4, Noe-5, and Noe-6 were all struck from the same pair of dies. The tree is slightly recut for Noe-6, and Noe-5 is identified by a break from the outer to inner beaded circles through the M in DOM. An intermediate die state, Noe-4.5, was used by Walter Breen and Richard Picker, characterized by an open left (facing) side to the O in DOM. Noe-4 is thus an early die state from the Noe-4 to Noe-6 dies. Yet the reverse die already shows some crumbling, primarily left of the X in the denomination, and from the beaded circle to the M in DOM.
This is a lustrous and pleasing high grade example. The mild S-shaped wave across the centers is strictly due to its production method via a rocker press. Both sides are evenly toned in blended chestnut-tan and aqua-blue shades. Examination beneath a strong lens locates a couple of unimportant marks, between the 65 in the date and near the N in NEW, but the surfaces are otherwise exceptional. The strike is sharp and consistent. All branches on the tree are distinct.
The obverse was nearly perfectly centered when struck, but the Boston Mint made two short, straight clips at 3 o'clock. On the obverse, these affected only small portions of the TS in MASATHVSETS. The reverse is misaligned a few degrees toward 9 o'clock, and the mint-made clip has slightly greater effect on this side, although most of W ENG is present and the other letters are fully intact.
Ex: F.C.C. Boyd Collection; John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XII (Stack's, 10/2005), lot 86; ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/2007), lot 1510, where it brought $32,200.
HID02901242017