1652 Pine Tree Shilling. Large Planchet. Noe-1, Salmon 1-A, W-690. Rarity-2. Pellets at Trunk. AU-55 (PCGS).；70.68 grains. Outstanding quality and eye appeal for this classic early colonial type. Rich olive-gray and steel patina blankets both sides, the surfaces of which are remarkably smooth in a lightly circulated Pine Tree shilling. The strike is generally well centered, although both sides are drawn toward the lower border with the outer beaded borders incomplete in those areas. Additionally, the lower obverse border is through the letters MA in MASATHVSETS, lower reverse border flush to the top of the dots between the words NEWENGLAND and DOM. All other design elements are fully formed and crisply defined. Light, irregular clipping around the edge was done in the mint -- common for this type, and in this instance probably done to give the coin a distinct appearance. Interestingly, many Noe-1 Pine Tree shillings have been clipped in a decorative fashion, as is the case with some of the 1642-1643 Irish "Inchiquin" and "Ormonde Money" pieces associated with the Irish Rebellion that began in October of 1641. Slight waviness to the planchet is evident on the obverse through the base of the tree trunk, on the reverse at the top of the inner beaded border and through the digits XII in the denomination. An extremely shallow and consequently minor planchet crack at 6:30 relative to the obverse is hardly worth mentioning. All in all, this is a beautiful example of the type and variety that would do justice to any high quality collection.<p>The iconic Noe-1 Pine Tree shilling is regarded as the quintessential type coin in the Massachusetts Bay Colony silver series. A historic group of coinage, these pieces were the first struck for those British colonies that would eventually become part of the United States. They are also among the few American colonial issues struck in silver. Produced to an uncommonly high standard of quality, and relatively plentiful by Massachusetts silver standards, the Noe-1 Pine Tree is a perennial favorite among both colonial type collectors and series specialists. For the grade, it is difficult for us to imagine a more attractive and inviting specimen that that offered here. Worthy of a premium bid.；From the Antony Bettencourt Collection.
