1652 Shilling Pine Tree - Lg Planchet - Rev. N

Coin Details

Description

A die variety of the large planchet Pine Tree shilling identified by a distinctive reversed letter N in the legend. The reverse N appears as a mirror-image of the standard letter, the result of the die sinker inadvertently orienting the letter punch backward when impressing it into the die face. Because dies produce mirror-image impressions on the struck coin, a correctly oriented punch letter would appear reversed on the die face; a reversed punch would appear normal. The presence of a reversed N on the finished coin indicates the punch was driven in with correct visual orientation on the die — the opposite of standard practice. The obverse displays the standard pine tree within MASATHVSETS IN, while the reverse carries XII and the legend containing the diagnostic reversed N within NEW ENGLAND AN DOM 1652. The large planchet format at approximately 27-29 millimeters allows the reversed letter to be identified with reasonable certainty on well-preserved specimens. Reversed and malformed letters are a recurring feature of colonial coinage produced without the standardized die-making equipment available at established European mints. At the Hull Mint, individual letter punches were used to build up legends character by character, and occasional errors in orientation were an inevitable consequence of this manual process. Rather than discarding an otherwise serviceable die, the mint continued using it, creating a permanently identifiable variety. The Reversed N variety is of particular interest to colonial numismatic scholars because it demonstrates the practical, economical approach to die production at the Boston mint, where a single reversed letter did not warrant the expense and effort of cutting an entirely new die.

Rarity Notes

Rare die variety. The reversed N provides a clear diagnostic for attribution even on moderately worn specimens.

Cross References

Noe (consult Salmon revision); Crosby