THE J.T. JONES COUNTERSTAMPS

Last year, this writer was fortunate to have acquired a trio of historic counterstamps that were issued by J.T. Jones of San Francisco. They came via the NTCA auction which was liquidating the estate of veteran California token collector, Ron Lerch. The popularity of this issue is largely due to the history surrounding the Blue Wing saloon of which Jones was the proprietor from about 1851-53. For those wanting to learn about the fascinating back story, this website offers a fine read: http://thebellecora.com/thestoryofbellecora

This “bullseye” counterstamp reads: J.T. JONES / SAN FRANCo / CORNER MONTG_ & COMMERCIAL ST. (“Montg” being short for Montgomery Street). All known specimens of this issue, but for one gold piece, are hosted upon silver coins. J.T.'s name was James Thompson Jones.

While researching this counterstamp, previously unpublished tidbits of information were found that will make for fine fodder in a future article. Presently, I would focus on the question of why these counterstamps were issued.

The Jones counterstamp clearly indicates that it was the site of the Blue Wing saloon on the corner of Montgomery and Commercial Streets. City directory and newspaper ads evidence that Jones was working there between 1852-53; and, possibly as early as 1851.

The stamp then begs the question as to why it lacks mention of the Blue Wing? Jones clearly chose to promote himself; this, as opposed to the saloon business. He only stamped silver and gold coins. In addition to being a saloon, the Blue Wing was a notorious gambling house.

An article about this counterstamp was published in The Numismatist in July of 1919. Writer, Farran Zerbe, concluded therein, “That no business is stated indicates that the countermark was not for advertising purposes.” Jones appears to have largely taken care to stamp his mark atop the obverse busts on coins. Most stamps are fairly well-centered. Thus, he wanted to assure that his stamps were prominent.

This writer initially suspected that these Jones counterstamps were somehow connected to the likely more profitable gambling aspect of his business. My thought was that they might have served as a guarantee of genuine silver or gold specie? Another, more likely possibility came to light when the below newspaper ad was found ....

Sacramento Daily Alta California, November 10, 1852

Jones was obviously in partnership with Prentiss when this raffle was held at the Blue Wing. Jones was apparently the senior partner. Might his “bullseye” counterstamped coins have been given out as prizes? The silver coins may have been consolation prizes, whereas a unique 1851 $50 gold slug could have been among the better prizes. What better reason to stamp a gold piece than to personally mark it as a prize? Thereafter, each winner would have a story to tell.

Had the raffle advertisement mentioned gold and silver coin prizes, this suspected use of the counterstamped coins would be far more likely. Jones was clearly a promoter who possessed an entrepreneurial flair, and the design style of his counterstamps mirrors his personality. Ultimately, James Thompson Jones left as indelible a mark on the history of early San Francisco as he did on his coins.

For more information on the National Token Collectors Association, see:
https://tokencollectors.org/

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