1652 Oak Tree Sixpence. Noe-21.5, Salmon 2a-B, W-400. Rarity-5. IN on Obverse. EF Details--Obverse Scratched (NGC).

32.7 grains. A visually appealing example that has much more to offer than the certified grade might suggest. The planchet is near-fully round and generally smooth, with just a trace of waviness through the center. This affects the tree a bit, which is a tad soft in the middle, but the central reverse is bold, as are all other areas save for the left obverse border, where the letters AS are indistinct at tops. Centering is good on both sides, although the upper and lower reverse borders encroach on the letters somewhat. Richly and originally toned in steel-olive, the only mentionable blemishes are several scratches slanting down to the right on the obverse - while these explain the NGC qualifier, they are so faint as to be easily overlooked during in hand viewing. Noe-21 features the same dies as Noe-20 (also used later in Noe-22), although on the obverse the S in MASATHVSETS has been recut. This letter is now backward, irregular in shape, and oversize, this being the most useful diagnostic of this variety. On the present example, the top of the backward S (and also part of the adjacent A) is obscured, as above. The lower curve of the S, however, is fully formed and clear. A lovely example of both the type and Noe number that will appeal to many specialists. Writing in the 2010 reference The Silver Coins of Massachusetts, Chris Salmon states, "We agree with Hodder's assessment that Breen's Noe-21.5 variety is difficult to distinguish as a distinct variety. Hodder stated this strongly: 'The intermediate state N.21.5...is chimerical."

PCGS# 898266. NGC ID: 2ARJ.

From the Muddy River Collection. Earlier ex Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society; Heritage's sale of the Eric P. Newman Collection, Part IX, November 2017 Signature Auction, lot 15003.