1662 Oak Tree Twopence. Noe-29, Salmon 1-A, W-240. Rarity-4. Small 2. AU-55 (PCGS).
10.3 grains. An exceptional specimen of this important type. Rich charcoal-olive toning and glossy, which lightens just a bit near centers where silvery luster was last to fade. Originally preserved and barely worn, showing excellent sharpness on an oversize planchet (16.6 mm in diameter, somewhat ovoid in shape). On the obverse, the legends are complete and every bead is visible except for a few over the letter M in MASATHVSETS. The tops of AT are just a trifle weak, not significant but noticeable since the rest of the obverse is so remarkably well-detailed. A large unstruck area may be seen outside the beaded periphery from 10 o'clock to 5 o'clock. On the reverse, the centering is excellent, with just a couple of beads above the letters GL in ENGLAND lacking from the otherwise complete periphery. The letters AN in the same word, opposite the weak point noted on the reverse, are just a bit soft, and a large unstruck area frames the outside from 3 o'clock to beyond 6 o'clock. A couple of trivial old pin scratches at central reverse are noticeable only with magnification and patience. This piece is better detailed than Ford:64 and without that specimen's marks; still, it sold for a significant $10,925 in 2005. It is also better centered than Ford's primary piece, graded Uncirculated, realized $34,500. This example ranks high among those known for this rare Noe number; it would be hard to find a more choice and visually appealing example in any grade.
PCGS# 915750. NGC ID: 2ARD.
To view supplemental information and all items from the Sydney F. Martin Collection, click here.
From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from our (Stack's) Sale of the George Polis Collection, January 2007 Americana Sale, lot 6358, via Chris Young as agent.

Estimate: $17000