1652 Willow Tree Sixpence. Noe 1-A, Salmon 1-A, W-130. Rarity-6+. VF Details--Plugged (NGC).

30.8 grains. A legendary rarity in the Massachusetts Bay Colony silver series, represented here by a coin that has considerable positives. Chief among them is the amount of detail evident in the centers on both sides, as well as around the periphery on the obverse. Most elements of the tree are discernible, the date and denomination are more or less legible, and the obverse legend is complete apart from softness from 3 to 8 o'clock. The legend on the reverse is less complete, the word NEW and letters DO boldest. The reverse is also double struck, which is clearest at the date and denomination. The planchet is wavy, a bit out of round, and is overall bright suggesting a cleaning, but both sides have retoned in relatively pleasing charcoal-gray. The NGC qualifier concerns a rather inoffensive plug involving the upper left branches of the tree, which have been skillfully reengraved over the repair. The plug is less discernible on the reverse, centered on the digits 52 in the date.A total of only 15 or so coins are believed extant for the Willow Tree shilling, all of which are from a single die pairing. Of the survivors, five are impounded, three are holed and plugged, as here, and most of the rest are in middle circulated grades. The upper echelons of Condition Census for this Noe number are dominated by the two Boyd-Ford coins, the Garrett-Salmon specimen, the Mickley-Stearns coin (that later appeared in our March 2015 sale of the Henry P. Kendall Foundation Collection), and the Partrick specimen. Of the holed and plugged pieces, this one presents uncommonly well and would make a significant addition to many specialized cabinets.

PCGS# 15. NGC ID: 2ARB.

From the Muddy River Collection. Earlier from Heritage's sale of the Old New England Collection, April 2014 CSNS Signature Auction, lot 5476; Heritage's Long Beach Signature Auction of June 2015, lot 3732; Heritage's sale of the Julian Kaufman Collection, January 2018 FUN Signature Auction, lot 4705.