Virginia colonial hunt find 1652 XII silver

[lawsonland]

1652 XII Massachusetts Oak Tree Shilling

I went to a hunt in Virginia and found this. There is supposed to be a tree (oak, willow or pine) on the back but its completely worn off.
Anyone have any thoughts on how to figure out what it is?
Thanks
Jon

 

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[Ahab8]

Wow, that is in great condition compared to mine. I'll have my son put it into a coin holder and he can add to his collection.
Just curious what guess would it grade and value? He likes to put the coins I find into a separate book, he puts the grade (what he thinks it is) and a value on each one,

Jon I really am not well enough versed in coin conditions to say but I will tell you what I think. Just know that I may be off on this. My guess is that it's about a G4 grade. The tricky thing with Mass silvers is putting values on them. For a rare variety in beautiful condition the value could far exceed what a book says. Some of these collectors have very deep pockets. I would guess yours would be worth between $500-$800. It's a fairly scarce variety and hey its a Mass silver that's 300+ years old. Here is an auction result that I found. Obviously better detailed but I just wanted to show you the coin. Enjoy that great find with your boy Jon. I would put it somewhere safe buddy

 

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[Iron Patch]

Jon I really am not well enough versed in coin conditions to say but I will tell you what I think. Just know that I may be off on this. My guess is that it's about a G4 grade. The tricky thing with Mass silvers is putting values on them. For a rare variety in beautiful condition the value could far exceed what a book says. Some of these collectors have very deep pockets. I would guess yours would be worth between $500-$800. It's a fairly scarce variety and hey its a Mass silver that's 300+ years old. Here is an auction result that I found. Obviously better detailed but I just wanted to show you the coin. Enjoy that great find with your boy Jon. I would put it somewhere safe buddy

I was thinking about this while you were replying, and my answer was going to be (and I guess still is) .... maybe VG grade and $500+. But like you I am just guessing... and do think the grade borders G and VG... but might be G based on the type. Of course with the hole there's little point in debating between those two grades as the net grade, or at least net price, would be G range.

PS: The deep pocket guys wouldn't even look at this one. It's probably more the average Joe who wants any example.

 

[Ahab8]

I was thinking about this while you were replying, and my answer was going to be (and I guess still is) .... maybe VG grade and $500+. But like you I am just guessing... and do think the grade borders G and VG... but might be G based on the type. Of course with the hole there's little point in debating between those two grades as the net grade, or at least net price, would be G range.

PS: The deep pocket guys wouldn't even look at this one. It's probably more the average Joe who wants any example.

Agree 888% lol. That's why I prefaced that statement with "For a rare variety in beautiful condition". Is that an odd wear pattern or is it just me? That tree is completely wiped out

 

[The Patriot]

Dream coin...congrats!!

 

[Iron Patch]

Agree 888% lol. That's why I prefaced that statement with "For a rare variety in beautiful condition". Is that an odd wear pattern or is it just me? That tree is completely wiped out

Obviously it was weak through the middle. That was something I looked at too, thinking maybe they were all weak... like Noe-10, but does not seem to be the case. I seen a Noe-10 in very close to the same condition graded as fine. So clearly with these it's not just about the detail, but also how it compares to other examples. Seeing the other being fine is why I was thinking VG on this one.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

That's an incredible find Jon, and one that's still near the top of my most-wanted list. I've previously searched 3 sites within a stone's throw of where your coin was found, and 2 of them were from the 1600s, that I found through painstaking research. But I couldn't find anything showing occupation in the field where your hunt was held. Just goes to show you there are still a tremendous number of undocumented sites to be discovered if you can just be fortunate enough to put yourself on one. Again, congrats on a super find!

 

[lawsonland]

Thanks for the info. Its hard to tell from the photo but there is a slight bend in the coin. The bend make the front side concave and the rear convex which is why I think the tree is worn away because it was the high point exposed. I will add a cross-view to show it.
It is very thin.
I appreciate all the info. I like that fact by finding it this coin I learned the history of the them and why they all the same date.

 

[metalev4]

An incredible find regardless of condition. Most will only dream of walking over a tree coin. Congratulations!

 

[Dust Eater]

What a great coin to find! Good job!

 

[DownNDirty]

Spectacular find-congratulations!

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

Banner find! Great Mass Shilling. I think Abe is right with his ID, and when I get home from work I will look in Salmon's book to confirm it.

 

[Steve in PA]

American silver don't get no older! Great find!

 

[Tommybuckets]

I take it you didn't make it to OC MD? I'd say you would have been hard pressed to find anything that exciting down the beach. Let me know if you ever want to go hunt.

 

[The Rebel]

AMAZING Find! If it could only talk!

 

[Fletch88]

Banner find congrats!

 

[Coilcrazy2]

Heard all about if from a friend! GREAT FIND. Those don't come out of the ground very often at all. A huge congrats to you. Will be voting Banner

 

[basque-man]

WOW!!!! Congrats on such a rare coin!!

 

[lawsonland]

Here are pictures from the side and next to a quarter. Its pretty thin
also its 4.2g not sure if it means anything

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

Man, that beauty makes me want to get back out swingin'. Hopefully the ground thaws up my way this week. Again, congrats the the obvious banner find!

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

lawsonland, please consider posting your Shilling here: http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/m...er-thread-post-your-dug-tree-coins-today.html