1652 Oak Tree Shilling. Noe-13.3, Salmon 11-G, W-520. Rarity-6. IN at Bottom. Spiny Tree Variant. VF-20 (PCGS).68.2 grains. Subtle golden highlights accent the slate grey patina of this attractive piece. The softness at the tree is typical of this variety, though the date and denomination are mostly sharp on the reverse. The strike is drawn slightly to 7 oclock on the obverse but is ideally centered on the reverse with virtually intact legends. Only the most minor blemishes show under scrutiny and the eye appeal remains strong. Very similar in fabric to the primary Kendall specimen, which earned $3, 818 in our March 2015 sale. <p>This piece was struck from the slightly later die state of Noe-13, which Eric Newman first described as Noe 13.3 in his work <em>The Secret of the Good Samaritan Shilling </em>(1959). He points out recutting atop the tree, a new serif on the second S in MASATHVSETS, and the forked crossbar of the nearby T which have since frustrated specialists trying to confidently place this die state, and the later N-13.6, on the Noe 13 to Noe 14 continuum.<p>Modern specialist Christopher Salmon acknowledges this frustration in his 2010 reference <em>The Silver Coins of Massachusetts</em> and notes that it is "the most problematic classification in Massachusetts silver coinage, and one of the most controversial." These die states "differ in obverse die from [Salmon] 10-G and 11a-Gi sufficiently to warrant the distinct designation 11-G." While not as rare as once thought, the Noe-13.3 is a technically interesting sub variety usually found in low grades. This piece is clearly superior to most and will surely attract significant attention.From the Robert M. Martin Collection.
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