1652 Oak Tree Shilling. Noe-3, Salmon 1-C, W-450. Rarity-6. ANDO. AU-50 (PCGS). CAC.70.36 grains. Outstanding About Uncirculated quality for this elusive die pairing of the Massachusetts Bay Colony Oak Tree shilling. Both sides are pleasantly toned, the surfaces evenly patinated in dove gray with glints of iridescent powder blue and champagne-pink evident at direct lighting angles. Struck off center, typical of the variety, the obverse is drawn to 1 oclock with the upper right border through the lettering in that area. The reverse is better centered, a bit tight to 3 oclock, yet with the letters W EN essentially full. The letters DO are weak due to lack of detail in the die, also typical of this variety. Central detail is impressively sharp, especially throughout the tree. Straight planchet clip at 2 oclock relative to the obverse, linear marks at the lower and left borders on the same side are also as made and represent impressions from the edges of the die. A minor planchet flaw at 9 oclock relative to the obverse is noted, again as made, the only significant detraction a punch mark on the reverse at the letter A in AN that has resulted in a raised, flat area on the obverse. Now that the Boyd-Ford Massachusetts silver has been dispersed, chances to purchase examples of the rare type Noe-3 ANDO Oak Tree shilling in magnificent grade are limited to occasional auction appearances, as here, or pieces in dealer inventories, though few choice pieces remain among them. Examples this sharp do not turn up on a regular basis, thus making this an important opportunity for high grade type collectors.From Heritages sale of the Collection of Joseph M. Seventko, January 2002 FUN Signature Sale, lot 5006; Heritages FUN Signature Auction of January 2007, lot 707; Heritages ANA Signature Auction of August 2007, lot 1504; Heritages sale of the Charles G. Wright Family Collection, November 2014 Beverly Hills Signature Auction, lot 3562. The primary plate coin for the variety on the <em>PCGS CoinFacts</em> website.
