Is this 1652 Pine Tree Shilling real?

Discussion in 'What's it Worth' started by benbmw, Feb 7, 2013.

  1. benbmw

    benbmw New Member

    Hello all, I found a 1652 Pine Tree Shilling in a coin collection that my grandma gave me and I have had it for a while but haven't bothered to find out if it is fake or not. It doesn't have an 'H' in Massachusetts. as you can see in the pictures it appears the edges have been clipped or something and I know the weight should be about 4.5 grams but this one is 3.5 which may be due to the clipped edges.

    SPECS:
    The coin is 26mm in diameter and it weighs 3.5-3.6 grams and as shown in the pictures its quite thin. Also this coin is not magnetic.

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    If you have any other questions please let me know. Thanks!
    PS: iI found this: http://www.coinfacts.com/colonial_c...tree_n11.htm it may be a noe:11 ?
     
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  3. rlm's cents

    rlm's cents Numismatist

  4. Bedford

    Bedford Lackey For Coin Junkies

    Interesting... Welcome to CT. Usually these threads lead to disappointment for the poster ...but for you ,well I believe the outcome will be different. I do also believe this piece to be a Noe 11 as you have found .Looks to be in VF condition - If so once certified ,Awesome find ! If it is a counterfiet it sure looks to be a darn good one . I see many pick up points that I have compared to known examples & the match quite well.
     
  5. benbmw

    benbmw New Member

    Why do you say this? please explain.

    Yes i know what you mean, like the very small dot underneath one of the dots in the inner ring above the upside down 'M' at the bottom.
    well i hope this is real, i got many people saying it is on another forum: http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=141159
    Where could i get it confirmed?
     
  6. rlm's cents

    rlm's cents Numismatist

    I looked in the Red Book and the lettering is definitely different than the one I looked at. However, that is far from my area. I would believe Bedford long before me.
     
  7. l.cutler

    l.cutler Member

    I see nothing to indicate it isn't genuine, and a darn nice one too. As Bedford stated, if it is a counterfeit it is a good one.
     
  8. benbmw

    benbmw New Member

    how would I be able to get it authenticated? and what would it be worth? thanks for all your input!
     
  9. scottishmoney

    scottishmoney Buh bye

    Let me just say - I do not see the classic markers of a counterfeit and am not willing to condemn it as such. I would also not be so accepting of a "Red Book" opinion of a coin that they otherwise know practically nothing about. These Massachusetts silver are a very well researched area in numismatics and there are a number of professionals that dabble in these liberally.

    I am PMing you with the email of Michael Wzierba so that you can contact him regarding the piece. I will not venture into it's authenticity other to opin that there are none of the usual markers for it being a forgery so that I believe you need to contact someone in the know.
     
  10. Yacorie

    Yacorie Junior Member

  11. benbmw

    benbmw New Member

    Thank you verry much
     
  12. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

    Good luck! I for one, hope that it's authentic. It's always exciting when a new piece of this rarity is discovered.
     
  13. Victor

    Victor Coin Collector

    For authentication you would need to send it to a grading company like PCGS or NGC.
     
  14. LostDutchman

    LostDutchman Under Staffed & Overly Motivated Supporter

    I agree from the pictures provided it looks like it has a really good chance of being genuine. I would definitely recommend having it certified.

    If you need any help with that please feel free to PM me as I am an authorized dealer for both NGC and PCGS. I'd be happy to walk you through the process of getting it submitted.
     
  15. BigTee44

    BigTee44 Well-Known Member

  16. medoraman

    medoraman Supporter! Supporter

    I agree with others, it looks ok to me.

    Its surprising, since I have never seen an authentic colonial in a "Is this real" thread here. Usually they are the "cereal box" pieces from the 60's. :(

    Oh, and also usually, the OP gets really upset when we tell him its not, and argumentative, they will "show us", and maybe HONG KONG meant something different 300 years ago and and.....ok I will stop and go read a nice book now. :)
     
  17. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    I am also of the opinion you coin 'has good chances' of being genuine. Have spent some time comparing details on your coin with those of Noe 11 (pictured in P.46 of the Bowers Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins). All of the die breaks characteristics for the variety appear to be there. Your coin is also heavily clipped - nominal weight is 70-72 grains for the Mass. shillings. Clipping was very common with these coins. I have the exact same variety - rated URS-7 (somewhat scarcer) in Bowers book. It is an interesting variety of the Mass. Large Planchet shilling with no H in Masathusets.
    Consultation with an expert in the series will bring certainty. Lucky guy! What else was in the collection your grandmother gave you?
     
  18. medoraman

    medoraman Supporter! Supporter

    I always find it fascinating that a guy in Germany is so knowledgable about US coins. :)

    I mean, of course it can happen, and many Americans are very well versed in other country's coins, I just find it unusual enough to love reading your posts sir.
     
  19. benbmw

    benbmw New Member

    Well its been a while but i am just updating the forum post. I sent the coin to LostDutchman and he sent it to PCGS to be graded an authenticated. He recently got it back from them and it is indeed authentic but due to clipping the coin received a grade pf VF details. LostDutchman offered to buy the coin for $1800, but i have decided to have him send it back and i will sell it on ebay or something after keeping it for a little while.
    pine tree1.jpg pine tree4.jpg pine tree5.jpg
     
  20. RaceBannon

    RaceBannon Member

    Awesome! I love it when one of these "is this authentic?" threads turns out like this. Congrats on the find!:thumb:


    I'm guessing it happens less than 10 percent of the time that someone posts that question on this forum.
     
  21. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank

    amazing, a real one!

    Congrats.
     
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