Pine tree shilling facts for kids
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The pine tree shilling was a special type of coin. It was made and used in the Thirteen Colonies of North America. These colonies later became part of the United States.
Contents
Why the Colonies Needed Their Own Coins
Before 1652, people in the Massachusetts Bay Colony mostly traded goods. This is called bartering. They also used coins from other countries. But there weren't enough coins for everyone. This made it hard for the economy to grow.
Starting the Mint in Massachusetts
To fix this, the leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony decided to make their own money. In 1652, they gave permission to two silversmiths in Boston, John Hull and Robert Sanderson, to start a mint. A mint is a place where coins are made.
A Bold Move by the Colony
On May 27, 1652, the Massachusetts General Court (which was like their government) chose John Hull to be the head of the Boston mint. They did this without asking the British government for permission. This was a big step for the colony.
Different Designs of the Shillings
The coins were made in different values. These included 3 pence, 6 pence, and 1 shilling. The first coins were very simple. They had the letters "NE" (for New England) and Roman numerals like "III" (for 3), "VI" (for 6), or "XII" (for 12). These coins were also a bit smaller than the British coins of the same value.
From Willow to Pine Trees
Over time, the coin designs changed.
- The first coins after the "NE" type had a picture of a willow tree. These were made between 1652 and about 1662.
- Next came coins with an oak tree design. These were made from about 1660 or 1662 until 1667.
- The most famous design was the last one. It showed a pine tree. These "pine tree shillings" were made from about 1667 until 1682.
Why the Date "1652" Was Used
Almost all pine tree shillings have the date "1652" on them. This is because 1652 was the year the Massachusetts Bay Colony first passed the law allowing these coins to be made. Even though the pine tree coins were made much later, they kept the original date.
The Meaning of the Pine Tree
The pine tree on the coins was important. It likely showed how valuable the tall pine trees from the colonies were. These trees were used to make the main masts for British warships. The pine tree later became a symbol of the colonies' strength. It even appeared on the Pine Tree Flag during the American Revolution.
The Mint's Closure
The English government eventually found out about the mint. They saw it as the colony acting too independently. In 1682, the English government ordered the mint to close. Two years later, King Charles II took away the Massachusetts Bay Colony's special charter. This meant the colony lost some of its self-governing rights.
