1652 Pine Tree Shilling. Large Planchet. Noe-5, Salmon 4-Di, W-720. Rarity-4. Without Pellets at Trunk, Reversed N. MS-64 (PCGS). CAC.72.4 grains. A simply beautiful example that ranks high in the census for the Noe-5 Pine Tree shilling. Bathed in iridescent steely-gray patina, both sides readily reveal vivid undertones of powder blue and pale gold as the surfaces dip into a light. The impression is well centered on both sides, drawn trivially to 6 oclock, yet with the letters along the lower borders nearly complete. Striking quality is exceptional for the variety, the often seen smearing of the lettering at the upper obverse, due to the rocker press effect, is minimal with the HV sharp. All other design elements are sharp to full, the tree particularly impressive for the exactness of strike that is displays. Peripheral planchet cracks at 6 and 11 oclock relative to the obverse are as made, the surfaces free of post-production blemishes with strong satin luster. A showcase specimen, far finer than any of the three Noe-5s in our (Stack) Ford XII sale (the third of which was the nicest in your catalogers estimation), and we suspect also superior to just about every other example sold in modern memory. A strong contender for CC#1, in fact, and worthy of inclusion in the finest cabinet.<p>The Noe-5 dies are the same as Noe-4, now in a later state. The reverse has been lapped and M of DOM has been recut, though a break continues to develop there and is quite advanced on this piece. After both obverse and reverse received some more gentle blacksmith work, they became Noe-6.Ex Virgil Brand; Burdette G. Johnson; T. James Clarke; F.C.C. Boyd; New Netherlands 60th Public Auction Sale, December 1968, lot 214; Donald Groves Partrick; Heritages sale of the Donald G. Partrick Collection, January 2015 FUN Signature Auction, lot 5575. The primary plate coin for the Reversed N variety on the <em>PCGS CoinFacts</em> website.
