I know your friend from the Silver City Treasure Seekers in Taunton, MA, so please tell him that Jim extends a huge congratulations

on his outstanding recovery of a Pine Tree Shilling. I saw him at the club's monthly meeting last week and took note of his recent recovery of 17th century buttons and leather mounts. I told him that he was in Mass Silver territory with his finds and to stay on it. Looks like he did exactly that. Tell him that I hope to see him with his coin at the club's huge New England Treasure Show next Saturday, 9/20/14.
The coin is fantastic!

As some of the members have pointed out, he needs to get it weighed to positively determine whether the clipping was done as part of the minting process or by some thrifty colonist looking to shave a little silver for his next purchase. I have a cut Mass silver (to make change) and a whole specimen, but my buddy found a shaved piece of Mass Silver, so the practice of clipping coins wasn't limited to Spanish cobs. Regardless of what he determines - that's a killer find!
Just my own opinion - I would not have it slabbed. I had my Oak Tree Shilling slabbed, and it was not a good experience. I expected a details grade, and called NGC (Numismatic Guarantee Corp.) to arrange for it if necessary, but they mishandled the whole matter, i.e., they sent the coin back to me in a body bag (that's what they call it if coins are rejected for reqular encapsulation). So I had to send my coin a second time and guess what? They eventually slabbed it - but with the wrong variety designation.
I thought they were suppose to be the experts.
My variety of Oak Tree shilling is the Spiny Tree Noe-14. It's the most recognizable coin of all Mass Silver as it's a hybrid of sorts - a cross over from the Oak Tree Series to the Pine Tree Series. I'll probably remove it from the slab someday; for now, I'm too busy looking for another - got to stay positive! Anyway, please tell Mike that I suggest he save himself all the hassle and just enjoy his fantastic find.