1662 Oak Tree Twopence. Noe-30, Salmon 1-A, W-240. Rarity-4. Small 2. EF-40 (PCGS).8.2 grains. Powder blue highlights accent the dove-grey surfaces, with darker patina shadowing the devices. The obverse is shifted to the south as is typically seen, though perhaps more severely than usual. Much of the legend is either off the flan or obscured by softness of strike, leaving only ASATH intact. A bulge near the right edge results from an dent impact on the reverse, though this is the only notable abrasion throughout. The focal elements remain bold on each side, framed by a sharp but partial inner circle. The reverse die shows considerable fatigue in this intermediate state, though the 2 of the denomination is not yet liked to the A of ENGLAND as seen for Noe-31. <p><p><p>The Oak Tree Twopence is the only denomination in the entire series of early Massachusetts silver coinage to bear the date 1662, believed to be the year of its authorization based on a General Court order dated May 16, 1662 indicating that "twopence pieces of silver, in proportion according to the just value and alloy of the monies" be coined at Hull and Sandersons mint. The denomination does not seem to have been widely used and did not continue on with the introduction of the Pine Tree coinage in 1667. <p>What Sydney Noe designated as six separate varieties for the issue are actually die states of just two distinct die pairings sharing the same obverse but different reverses. Reverse A features a Small 2 in the date associated with Noe varieties 29 through 31. Noe varieties 32 through 34 are identified by the Large 2 reverse, Salmon Reverse B. The Noe-30 variety is found more often in high grade than lower circulated condition, and this piece remains a sharp example that is essential for any type collection of Massachusetts silver.From the Robert M. Martin Collection. Ex Robert Johnson, privately, December 2016.
