Pine-tree shilling was a silver coin minted by colonists in Boston, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, from 1667 to 1682. A pine tree encircled by the word Masathusets appeared on one side of the coin. The other side bore the Roman numeral XII and the date 1652. The XII stood for twelve pence, which equaled one shilling. The date 1652 was probably used so that the colonists could claim the coins were minted legally. Under English law, only the monarch was allowed to issue coins. However, King Charles I had been executed in 1649, and Charles II did not succeed him until 1660 (see England (History)). Thus, the colonists could claim the coins were minted at a time when royal authority did not exist.
The pine-tree shilling was also called the Boston shilling and the Bay shilling. Three-penny and six-penny pieces made during the same period bore the same design.
