1652 3P Pine Tree MS63 Certification #35743628, PCGS #21

Ron Guth

The Massachusetts "Pine Tree" Threepence is the smallest denomination of the series (note: the "Oak Tree" series included a Twopence).  The Threepence is relatively common and it is typically less expensive than the larger denomination coins (proof that size matters).  Four varieties (Noe-34, 35, 36, and 37) comprise the entire mintage.  Unfortunately, most examples of this date were struck on under-sized planchets, thus it is nearly impossible to find a well-centered example with all of the design details (including the outer border of beads) fully on the flan.  As common as this denomination is, high-grade examples are very scarce.  The PCGS CoinFacts Condition Census consists almost entirely of AU examples.  Mint State examples are prohibitively rare.