Pine Tree Coinage, ca. 1667-1682

Threepence

obverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

reverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

1652        Noe 36                        MA Pine Tree Threepence

Obverse:  MAS[ATHVSET]S [rosette of nine dots]
Reverse:  NEWENGLAN[D] [rosette of seven dots]   1652   /   III

Weight:  17.6 g   (1.14 grams)                  Diameter:  15.5 mm

Comments:  Two different obverse dies were used for Pine Tree threepence, one with and the other without pellets flanking the tree trunk. This example is without the pellets, called die 2 by Crosby, and is characterized by a trunk that leans to the left. In this example the obverse is dramatically off center so that even the lower portion the central beaded circle surrounding the is off the planchet. The obverse legend begins above the top of the tree with M. On this example the end of the M the A and part of the S are visible. The legend ends at about 8:30 o'clock with a S slanted to the right, visible on this example. This slanted S distinguishes the variety as Noe 36. The final use of this die with recut letters, which is Noe 38, has a much straighter final S.

The reverse is properly centered with the outer ring of beads clipped off. On this die, called die B by Crosby, there are die breaks: note the N and E in NEW are connected by a die break as are the letters LAN in ENGLAND. This example has several scratches.

Provenance:  From the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Collection.

Sixpence

obverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

reverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

1652        Noe 33a                        MA Pine Tree Sixpence

Obverse:  MASATHVSETS . IN .
Reverse:  NEWENGLAND . [A]NO .    1652   /   VI

Weight:  32.6 g   (2.11 grams)                  Diameter:  18.4 mm

Comments:  Two different obverse dies were used for Pine Tree sixpence, one with and the other without pellets flanking the tree trunk. This example with the pellets is characterized by a trunk with four sets of limbs, of which the bottom set of limbs curves upward. The E and N touch the inner circle of beads. In the sixpence denomination the obverse is typically high (often higher than the present example) and less well centered that the reverse.

On the reverse the N's and the S in ENGLAND touch the inner circle of beads. This variety is a late state of the die. In the early state (Noe 33) there is a small die crack above the first stroke of the V in VI. In this very late state (Noe 33a) the crack extends from a dot at the top of the V and continues up touching the 6 and ending at another dot just below the inner beaded circle below the E in ENGLAND. On this example the A in ANO is weak and there is a small die creak appearing as a dot inside the O.

Provenance:  Purchased with the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment from EANA acution of January 13, 1996, lot 492.

Oak Tree Coinage	Section Contents	Large Planchet Pine Tree Shillings