1652 Threepence Oak Tree - "In" on Obverse

Coin Details

Description

A die variety of the Oak Tree threepence distinguished by the presence or positioning of the word "IN" on the obverse. The legend MASATHVSETS IN encircles the oak tree motif, and the specific location of "IN" relative to the tree and other letters identifies this obverse die. On the small threepence planchet, legend placement was heavily constrained by the limited available space, making the positioning of each word a distinctive feature for variety attribution. The obverse shows the familiar broad-crowned oak tree in miniature, while the reverse carries III within a beaded circle and the dating legend NEW ENGLAND AN DOM 1652. The diminutive size of the threepence — approximately 17 millimeters — meant that the die sinker had to balance legibility against the physical constraints of the planchet, often resulting in some letters being crowded or pushed to the very edge of the coin. Die variety study in the Massachusetts threepence series requires exceptional specimens and careful side-by-side comparison. The small module, combined with the irregular planchets and variable strike quality inherent in hand-hammered coinage, makes it considerably more difficult to attribute threepences to specific Noe numbers than their larger shilling counterparts. In many cases, surviving specimens are too worn or poorly struck to permit confident variety identification. This "In on Obverse" variety represents one of the documented die combinations for the Oak Tree threepence. Its identification contributes to the broader understanding of how many die pairs were used during the Oak Tree period and the relative output of the Hull Mint across its three decades of intermittent operation.

Rarity Notes

Rare die variety. Oak Tree threepences of all types are very scarce, and specific die varieties are seldom available.

Cross References

Noe (consult Salmon revision); Crosby