The E-Sylum:  Volume 9, Number 23, June 4, 2006, Article 14

LARGE CENT TAKES A BEATING FROM COUNTERSTAMPS

One of the pieces John Kraljevich had fun cataloguing for the
June ANR sale is an 1802 large cent nearly beaten to death with
counterstamps.  It was one of my favorite coins as well.  With
permission I'll quote the catalog description:

"One of the most interesting countermarked large cents we've
ever encountered, marked by three different Boston area silversmiths
with a total of 16 stamps! The rims have been hammered or "spooned"
in to create a high rim, but abundant detail remains on the large
cent. The Davis and Brown mark, Brunk D-174, was the hallmark of a
silversmithing partnership based in Boston ca. 1802-1820. Their
mark is listed in Brunk only on an 1801 cent also stamped with the
Bradbury mark and four eagle marks, identical to the piece seen
here. That Bradbury mark, Brunk B-1003, and the eagle "pseudohallmarks"
used to imitate more expensive English silver, were used by Theophilus
Bradbury, active as a silversmith in Newburyport, Massachusetts until
his death in 1803.

An oval mark incorporating an eagle and Bradbury's name is seen on
the reverse. His marks are known only on large cents dated 1802 and
earlier. The final mark is the most enigmatic, unlisted by Brunk,
but seemingly the mark of Boston silversmith John MacFarlane, active
ca. 1796. Perhaps these Boston silversmiths knew each other, or
perhaps their businesses and effects were purchased by one of the
three, but this coin draws them together in a most appealing way."
countermarked large cent image

[This is about as far away as you can get from a high-grade type
coin, but it sure has character.  -Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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