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Direct scan of object
Pine Tree Shilling (Large Planchet)
Direct scan of object

Pine Tree Shilling (Large Planchet)

Dateca. 1665 - 1677
Maker John Hull & Robert Sanderson
MediumSilver
DimensionsDiameter: 28 mm
Credit LineGift of the Lasser family
Object number2006-84,38
DescriptionObverse: Pine tree within a beaded circle and the legend MASATHVSETS • IN • within a beaded border.

Reverse: NEW ENGLAND • AN • DOM • within a beaded border, and 1652 over XII within a beaded circle at center.

Noe-3
Label TextStruck in Boston during the 1660sand 1670s, these coins were made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne, who featured them in his 1841 "Whole Story of Grandfather's Chair," which has a chapter named for the coins. In this tale, John Hull, the central character, pays his rather plump daughter's marriage dowry in Pine tree shillings! Because the real-life John Hull was the minter for Massachusetts during the 17th century he could well have paid the dowry in said coins; however, Hawthorne's version is just an amusing story. Today, the Pine tree coins are famous for being part of the first true coinage made in what is now the United States.

Noe #3