1652
Oak Tree 3 Pence - 1652 Oak Tree 6 Pence : Set of Two Colonials
The
numismatic adventure can be enriched by acquiring groups of
coins in meaningful combinations. Sets of coins can run from
two pieces to many. In the areas of rare date and early silver
and gold coins we have established certain sets of special
interest. They include the first and last of an issue, type
sets, design sets, year sets, and those that are joined by
historical events such as the Civil War. The coins of each
set are specially selected for you and your collecting needs.
We are specialists in this
area and will expertly and confidentially help you assemble
a set similar to the one you see below, which is made up of
pieces from the US Rare Coin Investments’ archives.
We will cherry pick through millions of dollars of rare coins
selecting only the finest quality pieces for your collection.
A Set of Two Colonials:
1652 Oak Tree 3 Pence and 1652 Oak Tree 6 Pence
The numismatic adventure
can be enriched by acquiring groups of coins in meaningful
combinations. Sets of coins can run from two pieces to many.
In the areas of rare date and early silver and gold coins
we have established certain sets of special interest. They
include the first and last of an issue, type sets, design
sets, year sets, and those that are joined by historical
events such as the Civil War. The coins of each set are
specially selected for you and your collecting needs.
We are specialists in this
area and will expertly and confidentially help you assemble
a set similar to the one you see below, which is made up
of pieces from the US Rare Coin Investments’ archives.
We will cherry pick through millions of dollars of rare
coins selecting only the finest quality pieces for your
collection.
The Oak Tree coinage of
the Massachusetts Bay Colony was struck between 1660 and
1667. They were the third issued from the Massachusetts
General Court after the New England (NE) series and the
Willow Tree coinage. All of the Massachusetts tree coinage
was dated 1652, except for Oak Tree Twopence, which was
dated 1662. The 1652 date gives the coin the appearance
that they were struck during the time Cromwell was in power
after the English civil war. They were made from handmade
dies that created many die varieties.
There is no documentation
for placing the Oak Tree series second in order, but it
does make logical sense to do so. First the design of the
Oaks and Willows are similar, but the Willows are the cruder
representation between the two. Second, both the Oaks and
the Willows are inferior in execution to the Pine Tree coins.
Third, the Oaks and Willows are similar in size to the NE
series which preceded them. The larger planchets are those
of the Pine Tree series. Finally the Oak Tree series is
scarce and has a small number of varieties. Had it been
last, it would have had a much more extensive mintage since
coinage continued for another twenty years.
Shillings were struck in
much greater quantity than the lower denominations. The
Oak Tree sixpence coins were most likely made on an as needed
basis. Most depositors would probably have preferred to
receive shillings. Of course, a shilling could have been
cut in half to make a sixpence, which was a common practice.
Since the larger denomination coins were divided in this
way, there was not a great need for lower denominations.
Consequently, fewer sixpence, threepence, and twopence coins
were made.
1652
Oak Tree 3 Pence - The obverse
of this Oak Tree threepence coin is slightly misaligned,
a common feature on these early silver coins, which
were struck by hand. In fact, virtually all coins
that are known of this variety are off-center on the
obverse, while the reverse usually is centered, as
seen here.
In fact, only a single variety of
this denomination is known to come perfectly centered;
no more than a handful of coins are known. As such,
it should be considered to come with the variety,
as it does not affect the value of this coin in any
way.
Both sides are lightly circulated
with original patina, while the obverse gives a strong
AU appearance. Certified by CAC it is a wonderful
piece of America’s first successful silver coinage.
It is a very rare variety as well, which was not in
the famous and near-complete Ford Collection; and
a coin seldom offered for sale in any grade.
1652
Oak Tree 6 Pence - Here is a
lustrous, uncirculated Massachusetts Bay Colony oak
tree sixpence dated 1652. The coin blank is oval shaped
and the design is centered. The coin is mainly a medium
grey with charcoal accents within some of the lettering
and devices. The strike is extremely sharp.
The outer circle of beads is nearly
complete on the obverse and is about fifty percent
complete on the reverse. The inner circle of beads
is sharp and full as are the other elements of the
design and legends. Two small depressions are seen
to the right of VI on the reverse.
The coin shows some slight bending
of the planchet, which is typical, and is a function
of how they are made. The obverse of the coin shows
a rather crude stick-figure drawing of a tree surrounded
by a circle of beads. The inscription MASATHVSETS
IN is around the coin with IN separated by dots.
At the edge of the periphery is another
circle of beads. The reverse of the coin shows the
date 1652, with the denomination written as VI under
it within a circle of beads. The inscription NEW ENGLAND
ANO is around the coin with ANO separated by dots.
At the periphery is another circle of beads.
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