What are the markers that you look for in determining authenticity of a colonial coin (ANR sale)?

Longacre

I was looking at the newly issued ANR catalog (online), and the following item was presented. What are the elements or markers that you look for in determining the authenticity of a colonial coin? These coins are typically poorly struck, so I am not sure how difficult it is to determine a genuine piece or not. Also, for a coin that is so circulated and also clipped, are there elements of the coin which provide certainty to its genuiness?


1652 Massachusetts Pine Tree shilling. Noe-8. Rarity-4. Small Planchet. VG-7,

clipped. 34.7 grams. 22.2 mm. A tiny piece of Massachusetts silver that, at half its original statutory weight, almost certainly circulated current as a sixpence. Bright silver gray, lightly polished and showing some hairlines. The tree remains bold, the date and denomination are present, though most of the peripheries were clipped away while this coin circulated. This shilling started life at approximately 70 grains, but the historical and archaeological record is replete with evidence of clipped pieces simply circulating at a lower denomination commensurate with the actually bullion weight. This interesting piece is just as historical as any other piece of Pine Tree silver, with the added benefit of a slightly lower value in the marketplace.

ColonialCoinUnion

I'd suggest comparing that plate to a higher grade and known to be genuine example of a Noe 8 Pine Tree Shilling, and in doing so you would see that all design elements on 'your' coin look correct, just worn and slightly worse for wear.

Regulated

I use my gut reaction first, then do my homework if there is any question about the item.