1652 Massachusetts Oak Tree shilling. Noe-1, Salmon 1-A, W-430. Rarity-3. MS-63 (PCGS).71.4 grains. Ideally centered on an oval planchet, profoundly lustrous and beautifully toned, this is a magnificent example of this high-style variety. Its quality stands out not only against the surviving population of this variety, but all certified Mint State Oak Tree shillings of this and even higher grades. The surfaces are frosty golden gray with highlights of bright pastel blue in protected areas around the design elements. The tree is perfectly bold, and the entire obverse legend is present on the taut planchet but for the tops of TS of MASATHVSETS. The reverse is aligned to the left, with beads visible at right and a slim unstruck area outside them. The legend is complete and the design elements are bold. A short horizontal mark above the date is a struck-through, as struck. A short mark is noted at the upper right serif of M in DOM, a mark is present within the base of the 6, and a very thin hairline underlines 52 of the date before fading into the right central reverse field. No significant nicks or contact marks are seen on either side. The visual appeal is breathtaking. <p>The Noe-1 Oak Tree shilling is a popular choice as a type coin: relatively common, even in high grades; typically complete in design and bold in strike; showcasing one of the more classically oaken design motifs; and coined from dies that created an attractive and easily understood product. While it is not unusual for a top caliber cabinet to include a high grade Noe-1 Oak, it is surely a hallmark of a world class early American collection to include one this nice. The present specimen neatly outranks many of the Mint State coins included in famous cabinets of similar material.PCGS Population (IN at left variety only): 2; none finer.From the Archangel Collection. Earlier, from Stacks sale of the David Spence Collection, March 1975, lot 686.
