1652 Willow Tree Shilling. Noe 3-E, Salmon 3-E, W-200. Rarity-7. VG Details--Rim Damage (PCGS).50.46 grains. A pleasing example of this outstanding rarity, with beautiful blue, violet, and faint gold toning over glossy medium gray surfaces. Clipped to about the weight of a ninepence, but most of the reverse legend remains intact and MASATHVS is mostly present. The tree is soft, as always seen, a confluence of wear and strike, but a significant proportion of the upper reaches of the tree, as well as its trunk and roots, remain visible. The date is only present at the upper extremities, but the denomination is mostly plain. Beautiful surface quality, just a thin criss-crossed pin scratch on the reverse to note in terms of flaws. This piece reminds your cataloger (JLA) of Stearns:10, but without the plug present on that piece. The magnificent Boyd-Ford coin most recently sold for $230,000 in the August 2010 Heritage sale. Any Willow Tree shilling is an important property - in real terms theyre rarer than NE shillings - and this one has excellent eye appeal and surface quality despite its period clipping. It is one of only nine examples traced for the Noe 3-E variety.PCGS# 16. NGC ID: 2ARC.From the Muddy River Collection. Earlier ex Richard Picker; our sale of the John "Jack" Royse Collection, November 2012 Baltimore Auction, lot 6003.
