PREV ARTICLE
NEXT ARTICLE
FULL ISSUE
PREV FULL ISSUE
THE G. ERICHSON COUNTERSTAMPBill Groom of Tennessee writes:
Gustav Erichson was a gunsmith, working in Houston, Texas between 1838-72. Per Brunk, Erichson's stamps were used on Derringer-style pistols. Another half dollar, bearing an identical stamp also hosts a HOUSTON counterstamp. The 1866 Houston Directory lists him working with Otto and Alexander at Milam, between Congress and Preston streets. Gustav died on January 7, 1874. reportedly of heart failure, at age 60. Gustav's sons were prize-winning marksmen who worked in law enforcement. While Brunk, 2003, listed but two specimens, the aforementioned half dollars, the below article suggests that others may yet be found. I found this article in The Galveston Daily News – Nov. 26, 1895 ..... Thanks! Here's the article. -Editor
Mr. Otto Erichson received a postal card this morning from New Orleans addressed to his father, Gustav Erichson, who has been dead for the past twenty-one years. The postal card stated that the writer had in his possession a silver quarter upon which was stamped "G. Erichson, Houston, Tex." and he wrote simply to warn Mr. Erichson that this defacing of coin was in violation of the law. Mr. Otto Erichson says that many years ago, when he was quite a young boy, it used to be his father's custom to stamp his name on silver coin. The quarter to which this postal card refers may have been stamped some forty years ago, and a history of its travels since that time would be exceedingly interesting. Bill adds: Judging from the statement of Otto Erichson, his father's countertamped coins pre-date the Civil War. Also, the coin described in the article comprises a previously unlisted variety, what with the addition of the state, "Tex." Happy hunting, readers!  Wayne Homren, Editor The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
|
