Is a double struck Pine Tree shilling considered an error coin (see Smythe inventory)?

Longacre

I don't know much about Colonials. When I was at the Baltimore show, I had a brief discussion with mreureka about the coin below. Mreureka even let me hold the coin in my grubby paws.

Does anyone know whether a double struck pine tree shilling is properly considered an error coin? I thought that these coins were pretty crudely made, and therefore I am not sure if "error" is the proper classification? Does anyone have an opinion on this? I agree that if a modern coin (with all of the quality controls in place, etc.) is double struck, that is definitely an error. However, with a pine tree shilling, which was never meant to be perfect, is this truly an error piece?

Link to Smythe

JadeRareCoin

i]Is a double struck Pine Tree shilling considered an error coin?

Absolutely......without a doubt.

Koinlink

Very cool! Someday, not anytime soon, I must get Pine & Oak Tree shillings!

291fifth

An error, yes. An error that adds value or subtracts value, not sure. Personally, I'd much rather have a perfect one so I would regard it as a negative.

MrEureka

When I played third base, I was more error prone than the Pine Tree coiners. But my errors were errors, nonetheless.

Longacre

<< <i>When I played third base, I was more error prone than the Pine Tree coiners. But my errors were errors, nonetheless. >>



Quite insightful, and answers the question (although I had to read it twice).

1jester

I don't know the market value of a double struck pine tree shilling, but I can say that coins of that era commonly had such "errors", and usually they carry no premium whatsoever.

MrEureka

I don't know the market value of a double struck pine tree shilling, but I can say that coins of that era commonly had such "errors", and usually they carry no premium whatsoever.

The errors that will bring good premiums are the dramatic ones. For example, if the Smythe coin had two boldly distinct trees instead of one, it would bring a substantial premium.

JadeRareCoin

<< <i>I don't know the market value of a double struck pine tree shilling, but I can say that coins of that era commonly had such "errors", and usually they carry no premium whatsoever.

>>



Double struck pine tree coinage is rare. Doubling on the earlier Willow Tree pieces is more commonplace, relatively speaking; all Willow coinage is rare. The Willows were made with cylindrical dies that were crudely constructed, resulting in double striking (albeit minor). The Oak and Pine Tree issues were struck in a screw press, with the planchets being hand loaded. It was unlikely that a piece would be struck twice, especially so far off center. On the piece referenced in this thread, it looks like the first strike was so far off center that the coiner had to restrike it. I have not seen many Pine Trees with major double strikes. Minor double strikes can be found on occassion.