Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-10-22
SHORT TALKS ON COINS.
The Pine Tree Money of Massachusetts Colony
1852.
FRANK T. NOBLE.


hundred and fifty years service
weighs within three grains of the
stipulated three pennyweights. There
is quite a difference in the diameter
size of the shillings, the smaller
pieces being much thicker than those
struck on the large thin planchet
John Hull, the cOiner of these inter-
esting pieces was prominent charac-
ter in those days and accumulated a
large fortune from his connection
with the mint. He left at his death
one of the largest estates in the col
ony.
Nearly every one is familiar with
the old school reader story of how
when his daughter Betsey was mar
ried to Samuel Sewall the founder of
NeWbury, Mass, he gave as her
doWry the brides weight in Pine Tree
shillings. That when the wedding
ceremony was over the bride was
placed in one side of a huge pair of
scales and from his strong boxes the
coins We're shoveled into the other
side until she was raised from the
floor.
1t is said that thirty thousand shil-
recorded the young lady was of good
ly proportions.
This story at first glance gives one
the impression that the brides dowry
was large one and it might have
been so considered in those days, but
even that number Of shillings at their
actual value of IL 2-3 cents each
would not be accounted a fortune in
these times
1t Is but natural for the possessOr
OF one of these cherished coins today
to speculate in his mind, as he fondly
examines it, whether or not it was one
OF those particular shilings which
formed portion Of that celebrated
dover in We Olden time
Although the Massachusetts mint
continued to coin its peculiar currency
Tor thlrty-four years, or until 1856, no
alteration of the date 1862" the date
OF the establishment of the mint, was
made upon the shillings. sixpence and
threepencc. and although during that
time there We're great variety of dies
the exact date of coinage cannot now
be detern3med. In some specimens
the tree resembles the oak, rather
than the pine and it is considered
doubtful if the idea of any particular
variety Of tree was intended when the
device was originated.
It will be noticed that some of the
shillings exhibited are more or less
mutilated by clipping, that is small
pieces cut from the edge. This was
a shrewd piece of petty thievery often
resorted to if we may judge from the
condition in which we find nearly all
of these early coins. Persons hand
ling large quantities of them could
clip small piece of silver from each
coin and continue to circulate them
without difficulty. The next crafty
owner would perhaps do the same
thing until in time the poor shilling
bore but slight resemblance to its
original self
Ihls historic mint of the colony of
massachusetts, of which our own State
OF Maine was then part, was sus-
pended under orders from King
charles the Second of England and
later under William and Mary was
iinally abolished as interfering with
the royal prerogative of coming
money.
Pine Tree money of anv denomi
nation Is now very scarce and speci-
mems in good state of preservation
are rare. After two hundred and
fifty years few have survived the
ravages of time or escaped the melt
ing pot. and they are looked upon by
the thoughtful numismatic as among
the most desirable acquisitions TO his
collection.
NoIE-The next exhibit will show
'he coinages of the several states. is
sued before the establishment of the
United States mint