1652 Willow Tree Shilling. Noe 1-A, Salmon 1-A, W-160. Rarity-6+. Good Details--Damage (PCGS). 67.0 grains. An exciting offering for advanced specialists in Massachusetts Bay Colony silver coinage. This Willow Tree shilling is rough in certain respects, but it is also impressive due to a double struck reverse and significant provenance, to say nothing of the historical significance and rarity of the type. Both sides are deeply toned, quite dark in fact, with dominant steely-charcoal patina that yields to blushes of lighter pearl and pewter-gray through the central reverse. Heavily worn, as well, the obverse shows little detail at most viewing angles, which is made worse when magnification is employed as a potential aid. Nevertheless, the persistent viewer, during in hand inspection, will discern some features as the coin rotates under a light. These include portions of the tree, about half of the beaded inner circle, and a few peripheral letters.<p>The reverse is better defined, although still far from complete, with a particularly bold XII denomination and near-fully legible NEW at right. The beaded inner circle at right is also mostly complete, and closer inspection reveals a second W and following E (in ENGLAND) at lower right. The presence of a partial, if soft 652 date at upper left of the denomination, rotated nearly 90 degrees counterclockwise from where one would perhaps expect it to be, confirms that this side of the coin has been double struck. In fact, the upper portion of the beaded circle and full word NEW at right are associated with the same strike as the partial date, while the lower portion of the beaded circle and letters W E(NGLAND) belong to the same impression as the denomination XII. Truly fascinating.<p>A near-fully round planchet measuring approximately 24 to 25.5 mm is also a strong suit, as are surfaces that show surprisingly few sizeable marks given their overall state of preservation. Concentrations of pin scratches at left and right reverse warrant mention, nevertheless, although similar marks are fewer in number and more widely scattered over the obverse. Dark surface encrustation is also noted.<p>The General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony issued new legislation that required a more complex design for the colonys coinage on October 19, 1652. According to traditional numismatic wisdom, the improvement in design was intended to combat the problem of clipping and shaving of the NE coins, practices made too easy by the simple design. The legislation resulted in the Willow Tree coinage, which Christopher J. Salmon (2010) argues conclusively was produced using the same techniques as its NE predecessors. Coiners Hull and Sanderson did not acquire the colonys first proper press - a rocker press - until 1654.<p>As a type, the William Tree shilling is nearly as elusive as its NE predecessor. The Noe 1-A Willow Tree variety was missing from the celebrated Norweb Collection, among others. The present example has the added appeal of having once been part of the Yale University Collection. It is plated in the 1943 edition of <em>The Silver Coinage of Massachusetts</em> by Sydney P. Noe, Plate III, Figure 3, who was unaware of the Yale University provenance until it was confirmed by Syd Martin. Steeped in both history and rarity, this important coin is sure to garner considerable interest among advanced bidders. PCGS# 890872. NGC ID: 2ARC. <strong>To view supplemental information and all items from the Sydney F. Martin Collection, click<a href="https://stacksbowers.com/sydney-f-martin-collection/"target=’_blank’> here.</a></strong> From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Yale University; later, Long Island Coins (Gary Parietti), September 2002. Plated in the 1943 Noe reference on the silver coinage of Massachusetts, Plate III, Figure 3.
