1652 Oak Tree Shilling. Noe-10, Salmon 8-F, W-510. Rarity-6. IN at Bottom, Ghost Tree. VF-20 (PCGS).
73.0 grains. A noteworthy second example for this normally highly elusive variety, this one struck on a much larger flan that is actually quite huge. Shape is ovoid, not too far out of round, with no significant edge irregularities. A natural planchet flaw is seen on the obverse, just below the tree, internal planchet crack on reverse below the Roman numeral X in the denomination. The strike is off center to 12:30 on both obverse and reverse, but the huge flan was still able to take full legends on both sides. The outer borders, however, are incomplete at tops. The popular Ghost Tree of this Noe number lives up to its name here, for the central obverse appears smooth during direct viewing, but the faint outlines of most features in the tree pop out nicely as the coin is tilted to one side or the other. Otherwise we note only localized weakness around the peripheries on both sides, central reverse also soft at the denomination. Warmly and evenly toned in pewter-gray with a hint of olive, the surfaces show no marks of note apart from a faint vertical pin scratch that nearly bisects the reverse, travelling through the digit 6 in the date along the way. Not quite the equal of the primary Martin Noe-10 offered above, but still a desirable circulated example of this challenging variety. The jumbo flan and pleasingly original surfaces are particularly desirable attributes.
PCGS# 915137. NGC ID: 2ARL.
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From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Chris Young, April 2009.

Estimate: $5500