1652 Pine Tree Shilling. Large Planchet. Noe-2, Salmon 2-C, W-700. Rarity-4. Without Pellets at Trunk. VF-30 (PCGS).69.6 grains. This piece is an old friend of our firm, as this offering marks the third time we have handled it in the past 30 years. It is toned in lovely olive-grey shades with darker patina at the borders. The flan shows a minor waviness that is typical of this marriage, leaving the obverse peripheries somewhat smooth. The strike is aligned towards 6 oclock on the obverse, pulling the inner circle nearly to the edge but preserving much of MASATHVSETS. The reverse is uniformly bold and nicely centered, with just the tops of the legends falling off the planchet. A pleasing and original example that remains free from notable imperfections beneath a glass.From the Robert M. Martin Collection. Ex our (Bowers and Merenas) Four Landmark Collections sale, March 1989, lot 5014; our September 2011 Philadelphia Americana Auction, lot 951.
