"1652" Shilling Pine Tree Imitation - Noe F

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,920 XF45 11-30-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

An imitation of the Massachusetts Pine Tree Shilling cataloged as Noe F in the standard reference. The Noe F designation identifies a specific set of imitation dies that reproduce Pine Tree Shilling design elements but with characteristics that distinguish them from genuine Hull Mint products struck in Boston between 1667 and 1682. Sydney P. Noe's systematic approach to cataloging Massachusetts colonial silver included documenting all known dies, whether genuine or imitation. This methodology serves the collecting community by providing reference points for authentication and by acknowledging that imitations are legitimate numismatic artifacts worthy of study and collection. The Noe F imitation shows the general Pine Tree Shilling design — the pine tree that symbolized Massachusetts Bay Colony's autonomy on the obverse, with "XII" denomination and NEW ENGLAND AN DOM legend on the reverse. The differences from genuine Pine Tree coinage lie in the details: letter forms, tree style, border configuration, and overall fabric all show characteristics inconsistent with the Hull Mint's known production methods. Noe F imitations are rare and are collected by specialists who value comprehensive documentation of all Pine Tree-related numismatic material. Alongside Noe E, the Noe F variety demonstrates that multiple independent imitation die sets were created over the centuries, each with its own distinctive characteristics that experienced numismatists can identify and catalog.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Noe F imitations are seldom encountered and primarily appeal to advanced collectors of Massachusetts colonial coinage.

Cross References

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