VOCABULARY TERMS: OVERLETTER, OVERLETTERING

Overletter, Overlettering. One or more letters on a die reworked by punches or re-engraved to correct the lettering. Like overdating, new letters are intended to replace existing letters, to update or correct a die so it may continue to be used. The die is softened and new letters are overpunched the existing letters in a die (which is then hardened by heat treating and placed in use). Or, the die can be softened and reworked by hand engraving, cutting new letters deeper into the die to obliterate the incorrect existing letters. Often parts of the under letter can be seen near the replaced letter on pieces struck from a reworked die.

An example exists at the Philadelphia Mint in 1836. The mint had acquired its first steam-powered press, the Thonnelier, (in Franklin Peale's efforts to bring American coin technology up to European standards). Appropriately, mint officials wanted to celebrate this coining milestone by issuing a medal.

The date was set for Washington's birthday, February 22, 1836. Dies were cut and medals struck in preparation of the coming celebration. But mechanical troubles precluded meeting the scheduled date. Instead it was postponed for a month, to March 23.

Mint engraver Christian Gobrecht, who had cut the dies, reworked the reverse die by punching in MAR over the letters FEB. He also changed the 22 date to 23. New medals were struck, this time on the very day. Even today these medals exhibit the overlettering on the reverse of the March variety of medals (Julian number MT-21). Also see die retooling; die variety; punch, puncheon (1); repunch, repunching; update, updating.

References:
O37 {1977} Julian MT-20, MT-21, p 192-193.

To read the complete lot description, see:
1836 First Steam Coinage Medal. Bronze. 27 mm. By Christian Gobrecht. Julian MT-21. MS-65 BN (NGC). (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BJDPX/1836-first-steam-coinage-medal-bronze-27-mm-by-christian-gobrecht-julian-mt-21-ms-65-bn-ngc)

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Overletter, Overlettering (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516443)

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