1652 Pine Tree Shilling

Rob41281

I know nothing about these early coins other than seeing them occasionally posted but came across this one while browsing the web. From doing some quick research it seemed like a good price even for a damaged example but even going through Heritage archives there isn't much to compare it to recently and if there is a recent result its for a non-damaged coin. What would be a fair price to pay for an example like this? Images are the sellers.Thanks

IrishMikey

Good luck. Prices for colonials are all over the place for relatively problem-free pieces. Coming up with a fair value on the illustrated coin is way tougher. A colonial specialist might be able to help you out, although I am sure that they would want to see the coin in hand, not just images.

northcoin

I wish I could help but that is one colonial that is worth having in any condition. I picked up one in major auction years ago not too different from the one posted but the price then would likely not be instructive for today.

Washingtoniana

I'm a cheap SOB and I would buy it quick for $500, so it's probably worth twice that

Treashunt

I would be interested in it, even with the damage.
No idea of value

BillJones

@Washingtoniana said:
I'm a cheap SOB and I would buy it quick for $500, so it's probably worth twice that

Yes, it's worth at least twice that, but $2,000 would be too much IMO, given recent auction results for low grade pieces. The small planchet Pine Tree Shillings are the most common of all Massachusetts silver.

ricko

Even in that condition, it is an incredible coin to possess..... It does not need a grade, however, I would grade it 'Awesome'.... Cheers, RickO

BillJones

I was headed out to my local coin club’s show this morning and did not have enough time to write very much on my iPad. Here is a little more history that might make this purchase more interesting for you.

The Massachusetts silver coinage is divided into four major groups, the NE (1652 only), the Willow Tree (1653 to 1660), Oak Tree (1660 to 1667) and Pine Tree (1667 to 1682). The Pine Tree coins are further divided into two subgroups the large and small planchet shillings. The large planchet shillings, which were issued from 1667 to 1674, also included coinage of the three and six pence coins.

In 1675 the Massachusetts General Court (the colony’s governing body) issued a law that gave mint master, John Hull, the right to issue coins for the rest of his life. In response Hull made only Pine Tree shillings on smaller planchets. He did not issue any of the lower denomination coins. Also he started to use a screw press instead of a rocker press, which he had used to strike the Willow, Oak and Large Pine Tree coins. The result was the coins were struck flat, not bent, which made them more durable while they were in circulation. Therefore the small planchet Pine Tree shillings are the most pieces in the series.

I hope that this will make this coin more interesting for you. Here are a couple of examples.

Large Pine Tree Shilling

Small Pine Tree Shilling

Rob41281

Love the info!! I did end up purchasing it. I did find a PCGS poor/fair details coin that sold on Heritage back in December 2014 for $927. I got this one for less than that. And to make it even better for some reason it was listed in collectibles category by the seller, who didn’t seem to to deal much in coins, so I was able to use a 15% off up to $100 eBay coupon which wasn’t good for items in the coin category.

1630Boston

Belated congrats

Colonialcoin

I think that you did pretty well given that the coin is full weight, shows a full tree, date, and denomination. A choicer coin would have cost you a lot more. Great historical coin!!

mbogoman

Yeah, you did alright. Even damaged, the coin still has good details remaining on both sides.

Smudge

Nice coin, but would not fit many collections unless you specialize in that venue. I already have too many "odds and ends".