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V17 2014 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 17, Number 24, June 8, 2014, Article 13

COLLECTING COUNTERSTAMPS BY DENOMINATION

This week I had some email correspondence with Aaron Packard about collecting counterstamped coins. I shared with him a few of the pieces that were once in my collection. I had a number of coins stamped by U.S. merchants. As a challenge, I began looking for different denominations of host coin, in an attempt to build an offbeat type collection. At the time, many of the coins cost LESS than comparable U.S. coins WITHOUT the counterstamps, even though they were exceedingly rare as such. For example, I acquired some early dollars in the $200-$300 range. I sold the collection through American Numismatic Rarities (now part of Stack's Bowers) in June 2006. Here are a few lot descriptions. -Editor

OIL of ICE on 1864 Two Cent Piece

OIL of ICE on 1864 Two Cent Piece

Counterstamped 1864 two-cents, Large Motto.

Brunk O-59. OIL / OF / ICE on obverse. Host coin Good. Medium tan.

From the Wayne Homren Collection.

To read the complete lot description, see: Counterstamped 1864 two-cents, Large Motto. (prior.stacks.com/lotdetail.aspx?lsid=AN00000582&asid=AN00000074&lrid=AN00035908)

I.B.B. ST. LOUIS MO on 1852 Half Dime

I.B.B. ST. LOUIS MO on 1852 Half Dime

Counterstamped 1852 half dime.

Brunk B-45. I.B.B. / ST. LOUIS / MO on obverse. Host coin Fine.

Isaac B. Burbbayge was a St. Louis, MO merchant for decades, dealing in maps of western rivers and other goods, including at one time, slaves.

From the Wayne Homren Collection.

The larger the coin, the easier it is to counterstamp. Smaller coins such as the half dime are rare to find counterstamped. -Editor

To read the complete lot description, see: Counterstamped 1852 half dime. (prior.stacks.com/lotdetail.aspx?lsid=AN00000582&asid=AN00000074&lrid=AN00035905)

CLOWNS on 1875 Twenty Cent Piece

CLOWNS on 1875 Twenty Cent Piece

Counterstamped 1875 20¢.

Brunk C-617. CLOWNS at center of reverse. Host coin VF. This piece is mentioned in the new Brunk reference as the solitary example of the variety known. An unusual counterstamp, one that could mean anything from an affinity for Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey characters, to a statement as to the contents of the U.S. House of Representatives—the possibilities are endless.

From the Wayne Homren Collection.

To read the complete lot description, see: Counterstamped 1875 20¢. (prior.stacks.com/lotdetail.aspx?lsid=AN00000582&asid=AN00000074&lrid=AN00035895)

H.A. GRISWOLD on 1819 Quarter

H.A. GRISWOLD on  1819 Quarter

Counterstamped 1819 quarter.

Brunk G-581. H.A. GRISWOLD on obverse. Host coin VF. On an attractive host coin with nice details. This is the only counterstamped early quarter we recall having seen. For a collection such as Wayne Homren's where the focus is on unusual host coins, this is certainly a centerpiece. Griswold was silversmith and jeweler who worked in Whitehall, New York in the 1850s. His mark is also known on an 1819 large cent, and 1840 half dollar, and a hard times token.

From the Wayne Homren Collection.

To read the complete lot description, see: Counterstamped 1819 quarter (prior.stacks.com/lotdetail.aspx?lsid=AN00000582&asid=AN00000074&lrid=AN00035901)

J. DEMUTH on 1795 Flowing Hair Dollar

J. DEMUTH on 1795 Flowing Hair Dollar

Counterstamped 1795 Flowing Hair dollar. BB-25, B-6. Rarity-3 as a variety. J. DEMUTH/WARRANTED. Brunk D-276. Mark and host VF.

Holed at 12:30 relative to obverse. A beautiful countermarked Flowing Hair dollar. Glossy dark gray with lighter gray highlights. Minor flaw under OF on the reverse. This mark is listed in Brunk, who suggests Demuth may have been a tool and punch maker circa 1832. Russ Rulau has posited that this marks is associated with the Demuth family of gunsmiths in Pennsylvania ca. 1770-1830. It is listed in Brunk mostly on large cents, save for a single 2 reales and an 1825 half dollar. The Reiver Collection contained a single countermarked Flowing Hair dollar, but since the host was an R-7 variety the price comparison is not relevant. This piece would be a great addition to any early dollar or countermark collection.

From the Wayne Homren Collection.

To read the complete lot description, see: Counterstamped 1795 Flowing Hair dollar (prior.stacks.com/lotdetail.aspx?lsid=AN00000582&asid=AN00000074&lrid=AN00035796)

N.E. TAYLOR on 1800 Bust Dollar

N.E. TAYLOR  on 1800 Bust Dollar

Counterstamped 1800 BB-195 dollar. R-4 as a die variety. N.E. Taylor. Brunk T-96. Mark EF, Host F.

This counterstamp was only known to Brunk on this particular coin. Nice deep gray with appealing surfaces and a few nicks in the lower right obverse field. Marked on both obverse and reverse. A very pleasing example on an unusual host.

The expansive Reiver Collection included five counterstamped Draped Bust dollars, ranging from a well worn piece with a simple mark at $1,000 to a high-grade piece plated in Brunk (like this one) for over $5,000. Counterstamped early dollars are rarely encountered in the marketplace and are eagerly snapped up by specialists when they do appear.

From the Wayne Homren Collection.

To read the complete lot description, see: Counterstamped 1800 BB-195 dollar. (prior.stacks.com/lotdetail.aspx?lsid=AN00000582&asid=AN00000074&lrid=AN00035887)

T. BERRY on 1907-D Half Eagle

T. BERRY on 1907-D Half Eagle

Counterstamped 1907-D half eagle.

Brunk B-604. T. BERRY on obverse. Host coin AU. The Brunk reference notes a solitary T. BERRY counterstamp on an 1875-S 20¢ with no other denominations mentioned. A highly unusual high-denomination counterstamp.

From the Wayne Homren Collection.

If memory serves, I purchased this piece privately from E-Sylum reader Bob Metzger. Thanks! I never found another counterstamped U.S. gold coin. -Editor

To read the complete lot description, see: Counterstamped 1907-D half eagle. (prior.stacks.com/lotdetail.aspx?lsid=AN00000582&asid=AN00000074&lrid=AN00035894)

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Wayne Homren, Editor

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