THE EVERMAN COUNTERSTAMP – A NEW FIND

Until last week, the ownership of an EVERMAN counterstamp had long eluded me. I then managed to scoop one up at the Dalton, Georgia show. While this host coin is not a rare one, it is now, to the best of my knowledge, the latest dated one. It is an 1857­O half that is strategically stamped in the fields on both sides; this, as are other known specimens.

In a June, 2015 article, Mystery of the Everman Counterstamp, Eric Schena logically ruled out William Everman, a California gold miner, as an issuer of this mark. Eric's research revealed that William succumbed to a hangman's noose in 1853, so it's unlikely that known, later dated coins, struck between 1854-56, were subjected his mark. Eric suggested a far more likely issuer in the person of Lewis Everman who worked as a silversmith in Huntingdon, Tennessee in the 1850's.

Thereafter, in a June, 2015 E-Sylum article, I offered the possibility of another likely issuer by the name of Charles Everman, a jeweler, who appears in Boyd's 1859­60 Lancaster County, PA directory, compiled in 1858. The tiny letters in the Everman counterstamp are ideally suited to the occupations of jeweler, silversmith and/or watchmaker. As Eric reasonably noted, a piece of flatware might yet be found that bears this mark. Also, a matching mark may exist on a watch or jewelry item, aiding in attribution.

I found an abstract from the West Tennessee Whig, dated January 19, 1854 which noted, “Mr. Lewis B. Everman, Silversmith & Jeweler, has just located in Jackson and opened a shop in the 2 room on Main street East of Patterson's Inn.” Further research reveals that Lieutenant Lewis B. Everman later served with distinction in the Confederate Infantry, Company L of the Sixth Tennessee.

Eric Schena found that Lewis, apparently having survived the Great War, was working as Everman & Spence, jewelers in Jackson, Tennessee in 1866. Did he and his partner then use counterstamps? If so, I have yet to see one.

The whereabouts and circumstances of Charles Everman, Philadelphia jeweler, beyond the year 1858 presently remains as much of a mystery as the Everman counterstamp, itself. Then, along comes this Everman counterstamp, dated 1857. If Lewis B. Everman produced this counterstamp, may we yet see a host coin beyond 1858? If not, it's my guess that the more mysterious Charles is our man, as this 1857 half dollar so closely coincides with his last known presence. If so, IMHO, it remains a coin toss as to whom issued this counterstamp.

Meanwhile, Eric Schena and I share the enjoyment of a good mystery and a good counterstamp.

Eric Schena adds:

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
NEW RESEARCH ON THE EVERMAN COUNTERSTAMP (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v18n23a16.html)
MORE RESEARCH ON THE EVERMAN COUNTERSTAMP (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v18n24a15.html)

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