Seldom Seen Selections: The Finest Known 1652 Noe-2 Oak Tree Shilling

Heritage Auctions - As a part of our upcoming Houston Money Show auction on December 3-6. Heritage will be presenting the finest known 1652 Noe-2 Oak Tree Shilling. This NGC-graded and CAC-endorsed Choice Mint State piece is plated on Carl Wurtzbach's 1937 photograph record and in the Noe reference. It is also plated in the Whitman Colonial Encyclopedia and in the Salmon book. Carl Wurtzbach's collection ticket had on it inscribed the following narrative concerning this piece:

The distinctive rocker-press wave is clearly visible on this oval shilling that features a sharp tree and full legends. Rich grayish-gold toning appears on the fully lustrous surfaces, graced with splashes of navy-blue patina. The impression is nicely centered with most of the outer border beads visible on each side.

This piece is the finest known and the only Mint State example that we have seen or heard of. Second place in the Condition Census appears to be the XF in the Stearns Collection, along with an XF in the Alan Weinberg Collection. A small number of VF coins follow these top three examples. According to Michael Hodder in the Ford catalog there are nine or 10 representatives known.