RARE WILLOW TREE SIXPENCE

 1652    NOE 1-A    Crosby-7  R6+    F12 but plugged          $42,500

MASSACHUSETTS WILLOW TREE SIXPENCE  35.0 grs. All examples of Massachusetts Willow Tree coinage are classic rarities in the Colonial Coin series. They, along with the NE series that immediately preceded them, represent the first crude coinage struck in what later would become the United States of America. Although clearly exhibiting both a design and technology advance over the minimalist New England shillings and lesser pence denominations struck just before them, Willow Tree coins are among the first fruits of our nation’s early minting technology. Quoting from Lou Jordan’s masterful John Hull, the Mint and the Economics of Massachusetts Coinage: “ The coins we designate as the Willow Tree series appear in many ways to be experimental. The scarcity of the coins suggests they were only minted for a brief period. They are rarer than the NE series and may have had a shorter production period. “ All Willow Tree Sixpences known were struck from one pairing of dies. In the range of 14 extant examples have currently been traced (though it is possible a few more survive) making this an extremely difficult major type coin to acquire. This great rarity is the number 5 specimen on the Noe plate of Willow Tree sixpences, there attributed as the property of a “Mid-West Coin Firm”. When this coin was first plated 60 years ago, only ten examples were known, and this one was holed. Between then and now it has skillfully been plugged, that plug situated at 2:00 obverse/9:00 revere. Most of this coin shows details of at least Strong Fine, but typical for type slight waviness in the planchet contributed to uneven striking and wear with a few legend letters and the last date digit now faint as a result. Quite attractive overall appearance, with most of the Willow Tree sharp, and with surfaces that are a pleasing lilac-gray and steel toning.

1739-R   Vlack 175A     R7   MS60                                      $  750French Colonies Sou Marque Orleans Mint. 33.7 grs. An attractive example of a rare sub variety of this date mint combination. Sharp details free of all but the slightest hint of rub, hence the grade assigned. Both sides still show ample silver luster which has begun to turn to a pleasing glossy gray over half of the surfaces. Ex. Vlack collection, Stack’s January 2008, Lot 5115.

 
1723 Wood’s Hibernia Halfpenny     R4  VF35                    $   145
M4.59-Gc.4   113.0 gns. Well struck med.chocolate brown. M-LDS.

 
1723  Wood’s Hibernia Farthing           R4   MS62  $   475
Martin 2.1-Bc4. Another pretty example, this toned an even warm brown except along a line of demarcation on the upper reverse where a planchet imperfection literally alters the plane of the surface, with the surface below that seemingly lower and not as hard as it is below. Still glossy and attractive, this coin is also technically interesting.

 
1760  Voce Populi Halfpenny  Nelson-3   R1   VF25           $   385
VOOE.  Lovely gloss light brown. The obverse is glossy and choice for the grade. The reverse, as typical, is a bit softer but remains complete and shows a bold date.

 
1760    Voce Populi Halfpenny  Nelson-6   R5    VG10       $   250
Glossy and attractive chocolate brown surfaces, a few trivial hairlines on the reverse don’t change that. From the Frealon Bibbins Collection.

 
RARE NELSON 14 VOCE POPULI

1760    Voce Populi Halfpenny  Nelson-14    R6    EF40     $ 1,550
“P” below bust. An important Voce Populi rarity and likely in the Condition Census for this variety. Fairly glossy with only minor even granularity on dark olive brown surfaces with some high points lighter.  Two old dull digs on the obverse neck are well hidden, and otherwise this is essentially problem free. The comparably graded Ford coin was there called “one of the finest seen.”

(1863) William Pitt medal. Betts-515  Copper  EF+ $   750
Pleasing glossy light brown with no problems and some remaining luster. This variety, without a signature under the bust truncation of Pitt, was apparently struck in Philadelphia circa 1863 to sell to collectors of that era.

 
1787 Machin’s Mills  Vlack17-87B  R2  VF35                    $ 1,450
Off Center. 115.3 gns. Wow, this is a pretty coin.  Simply Choice, to boil this description down to its one word essence. Struck 5-10% off center to 4:00 obverse, 2:00 reverse which is dramatic in and of itself, but the surfaces on this coin leave nothing realistic to be desired. They are smooth, glossy, chocolate brown, and problem free.

1786    Connecticut copper.  M.5.4-O.1      R2    EF40        $   750
Attractive dark brown with attractive even color and lively glossy surfaces. Well centered and boldly detailed. Some scattered minor rim nicks are seen, the only serious one of which is over IN of INDE and O of  AUCTORI. Dies clashed with the date visible incuse above the obverse portrait. A handsome 1786 type coin.