"1652" Penny Pine Tree - Copper Wyatt Copy

Coin Details

Description

A copper copy of a Massachusetts Pine Tree Penny produced by James W. Wyatt of London. While the original Massachusetts Bay Colony mint struck silver coins in threepence, sixpence, and shilling denominations, the "penny" represents either a reduced-size copy or a fantasy denomination, as no Pine Tree pennies were produced by the Hull Mint. Wyatt's copper Pine Tree Penny features the characteristic pine tree design on the obverse, adapted to the smaller penny-sized flan. The use of copper rather than silver further distinguishes this from the genuine Massachusetts colonial coinage, which was exclusively silver. This was deliberate, either to keep costs down or to create a piece that could not easily be mistaken for a genuine colonial coin. James W. Wyatt operated in London during a period when American colonial coins were becoming increasingly popular among British collectors. His copies ranged from fairly faithful reproductions to more creative interpretations, and the Pine Tree Penny falls into the latter category. The piece demonstrates how 19th-century copyists sometimes embellished or adapted historical coin designs to create novel collectibles. Copper Wyatt Pine Tree Pennies are uncommon today. They appeal to collectors of colonial reproduction coinage, specialists in Wyatt's output, and those interested in the transatlantic numismatic trade that connected American colonial collecting with the London market.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. The penny denomination is a fantasy type not found in the original Pine Tree series, making Wyatt copies of particular numismatic interest.

Cross References

Wyatt Copy series; Original Pine Tree series: Noe reference (1652-dated, struck 1667-1682)