1662 Oak Tree Twopence. Noe-30, Salmon 1-A, W-240. Rarity-4. Small 2. MS-62 (NGC).

Handsome pewter-gray surfaces display intermingled highlights of iridescent reddish-gold under a light. The strike is drawn toward the lower borders on both sides, especially on the obverse, but those devices that are present are bold and fully appreciable. The Oak Tree twopence is the only denomination in the entire series of early Massachusetts Bay Colony silver coinage to bear the date 1662, believed to be the year of its authorization based on a General Court order dated May 16, 1662 indicating that "twopence pieces of silver, in proportion according to the just value and alloy of the monies" be coined at Hull and Sanderson's mint. Known in at least six different varieties, the Oak Tree twopence is generally broken down into Small Date and Large Date types. The denomination does not seem to have been widely used and did not continue on with the introduction of the Pine Tree coinage in 1667. In fact, the Noe-30 variety is found more often in high grade than lower circulated condition. The present attractive specimen compares favorably to Ford:65 and 66 (October 2005), and to Hain:77 and 78 (January 2002), exceeding those examples by a few grading points in the eyes of NGC. Necessary for completion of a Massachusetts silver type set, the 1662 Noe-30 twopence is always in demand from colonial-era type collectors and Massachusetts silver aficionados alike. No specialist's bidding paddle should be idle when this beauty crosses the auction block.

PCGS# 45355. NGC ID: 2ARD.

From the Muddy River Collection. Earlier from our Chicago ANA Auction of August 2015, lot 10001.