A MACABRE PAIR OF COUNTERSTAMPED COINS

Bill Groom writes:

Knowing my affinity for counterstamped coins that are often telling of early American times, a dealer friend of mine had long ago set aside a pair of coins that had come his way in an estate purchase. He knew that, when I next paid him a visit, I'd be seeking such pieces for my collection. Eventually, he proudly handed me the pair of 1876 Liberty Seated Quarters pictured below. Although in near mint state condition, they were both holed and bore but simple initials. Nothing special, it seemed ….

Attractive and curious as this pair of coins was, counterstamps that offer something of a story line are typically what I seek. Then, my friend produced the envelope in which these came. Upon it was simply scrawled in pencil, “These coins rested upon our dear Mother's eyes.” Now, there's a story of sorts! There's no telling just who these siblings, A.P. and M.P., were, and their dear Mother's name will thus forever remain a mystery. It's clear that these two, newly minted coins were neatly holed to be used as keepsakes; likely, prepared and punch marked as such by a jeweler. This may have been done either before or following the family wake. In addition to being lifelong keepsakes for the children, these two coins experienced more immediate use in keeping the decedent's eyes shut during viewing. Nowadays, the eyelids are reportedly glued shut. Pleasant thought, huh? Personally, I'd prefer the old way, coins!

In contemplating this practical but somewhat macabre use of coins, I seemed to recall, in my mind's eye, that there was some mythical purpose behind the practice. Sure enough, my memory intact and laptop at hand, I quickly found the explanation. The ancient Greeks believed that, when somebody died, their soul had to cross the River Styx which connected the Earth to the Underworld, the land of the dead. The ferryman, Charon, charged two silver coins (note that the two quarters are silver) to transport souls into the Underworld. So it was that the placement of two silver coins upon the eyes of a deceased person became steeped in tradition.

In the words of the immortal Paul Harvey, “Now you have the rest of the story.” Hopefully, a paper copy of this humble article will accompany this pair of coins when they find their next owner. Then, it will be his/her responsibility to keep the story afloat. In the meantime, these coins will be laid-to-rest in a coffin-like coin box and tucked into the mausoleum that I simply call a safe.

To read the earlier story article, see:
THE COINS FROM LINCOLN'S EYES (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v08n47a25.html)

To read the complete article, see:
www.chicagohistory.org/wetwithblood/return/petersen3.htm

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