A small but historically significant silver coin struck in Boston in 1652 has sold for an astonishing $2.5 million. Known as the Massachusetts threepence, the coin weighs just 1.1 grams and is about the size of a modern nickel.
Despite its modest silver value of $1.03, the coin has captured the attention of collectors worldwide for its rarity and historical significance.
The sale shattered the previous record of $646,250 for any American coin minted before the Revolutionary War. It also set a new benchmark for non-gold coins minted in the U.S. before the establishment of the United States Mint in 1792.
The Origins of the 1652 Threepence
This rare coin was produced at the Boston Mint, established on May 27, 1652, to address a severe coin shortage in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. At the time, England, facing its coin shortages, was reluctant to send gold and silver to its colonies.
To counter this, local settlers John Hull and Robert Sanderson were authorized to mint coins, including threepences, sixpences, and shillings, using locally sourced silver. This act was technically a defiance of British crown authority, as colonies were not authorized to mint their currency.
Why Is This Coin So Special?
The 1652 Massachusetts threepence is not just any coin—it’s a piece of history. It is one of the few surviving examples from the Boston Mint’s operations.
Coins from this period are exceptionally scarce, with the threepence being the rarest among them. Most coins minted at the time bore a simple “NE” for New England and their value in Roman numerals, such as III, VI, or XII.
This particular coin is one of the only 1652 threepences available to private collectors, as the rest are housed in museums like the Massachusetts Historical Society.
The coin has a storied past, believed to have been part of the Quincy family collection—a lineage that includes Abigail Adams, wife of the second U.S. President John Adams. It was discovered in an old cabinet in Amsterdam in 2016 and has since undergone extensive verification by experts to confirm its authenticity.
The Auction and Its Surprises
The auction, conducted by Stack’s Bowers Galleries, saw this coin sell for more than three times its pre-sale estimate. Director of Numismatic Americana, John Kraljevich, expressed his surprise at the record-breaking bid. The buyer of the coin has chosen to remain anonymous.
Interestingly, the auction also featured other notable items. Two other 1652 coins, New England shillings, sold for $60,000 and $192,000, respectively. This same auction house has previously sold other historic artifacts, including a Nobel Peace Prize medal and rare paper currency, for over $1 million.
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A Timeless Treasure
The $2.5 million price tag on this tiny silver coin reflects not just its rarity but its immense historical and cultural value. For collectors and historians alike, it’s a tangible piece of America’s early economic and political history—a reminder of a time when colonies forged their own path, even in defiance of the crown.
This sale ensures that the legacy of the 1652 Massachusetts threepence will endure, as it continues to captivate the imagination of collectors and history enthusiasts worldwide.
Editorial Note: This article was created through automated technology, with all details verified and polished by our editorial expert.