"1652" Shilling Pine Tree Imitation - Noe E - Bronze

Coin Details

Auction Record

$3,360 F Details 08-24-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

A bronze imitation of a Massachusetts Pine Tree Shilling cataloged as Noe E in the standard reference for Massachusetts colonial silver coinage. Sydney P. Noe's comprehensive documentation includes imitation dies alongside genuine Hull Mint products, providing collectors and scholars with a complete record of all known die work associated with the series. The Noe E bronze imitation reproduces Pine Tree Shilling design elements — the iconic pine tree obverse and "XII" denominational reverse — in bronze rather than the original silver. The bronze composition immediately identifies this as an imitation, as the Hull Mint produced exclusively silver coins. The specific design details of Noe E mark it as a distinct die product that does not match any genuine Pine Tree die marriage. The identity of the maker of Noe E remains undocumented. Colonial coin imitations were produced over a broad period from the 17th through 19th centuries, and without definitive provenance or metallurgical evidence, precise dating is difficult. The bronze composition indicates a collector-oriented piece rather than a circulation forgery, as no one would attempt to pass off a bronze coin as silver. Noe E bronze imitations are sought by advanced collectors who aim to document all cataloged Pine Tree die products. They also serve as valuable comparison pieces for authentication purposes, helping numismatists distinguish genuine Hull Mint products from later imitations.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Noe E imitations are infrequently encountered and primarily of interest to advanced colonial numismatists.

Cross References

Noe E (imitation); Noe reference: Massachusetts Silver Coinage; Original: Pine Tree Shilling 1652 (1667-1682)