1652 Pine Tree Shilling. Large Planchet. Noe-1, Salmon 1-A, W-690. Rarity-2. Pellets at Trunk. EF-45 (PCGS).71.76 grains. A great looking example of this classic issue. The toning is ideal deep lavender-gray, highlighted by blushes of steely-charcoal that are most pronounced around the peripheries. The texture is soft and satiny with faint traces of luster evident as the coin dips into a light. The planchet is a little short at the bottom of the obverse with evidence of shallow clipping (as made) at 1 oclock and from 3 to 7 oclock, IN MAS and dividing ornament a bit weak on that side, upper reverse border well into the letters LAND in ENGLAND. The centering is ideal, however, and those features that are fully on the planchet are near-universally sharp and crisp. The surfaces are beautiful, showing only the most trivial marks, including a few scratches in the upper reverse field, obverse with a couple of tiny voids below the roots of the tree. Late die state with advanced reverse breaks plainly evident. This piece is very nearly perfect for the assigned grade, the kind of coin any collector, no matter their specialty, would cherish for as long as they own it.PCGS# 23. NGC ID: 2ARU.
