# Pair of Pine Tree Shillings

- By: John Hull (Robert Sanderson (American, 1608–1693); Boston)
- Date: 1663–82
- Medium: Silver
- Classification: Coin
- Dimensions: Each diam: H.: 2.3 cm (7/8 in.)
- Culture: Boston
- Credit line: Gift of Mrs. Francis P. Garvan
- Museum: [Art Institute of Chicago](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/64689)
- Rights: [Public domain (CC0)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- Picture: https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/f05859c8-c54d-af98-7cfd-5a6d82b228b6/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Little Ones profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

In 1652 the General Court of Massachusetts called upon John Hull and Robert Sanderson to establish the first local mint in the state. To prevent counterfeiting of the new currency, a design of a pine tree within a double-bead ring, enclosing the words IN MASATHVSETS on one side and NEW ENGLAND AN DOM on the other, was stamped on the coins. Although the coins were produced every year until 1682, all were stamped with the date of the founding of the mint: 1652.

Description © Art Institute of Chicago, CC BY 4.0