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The Romance of Counterstamps - Post your counter stamped coins if you like

1630Boston1630Boston Posts: 13,819 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited September 9, 2022 12:07PM in U.S. Coin Forum

From THE NUMISMATIST • MARCH 1992
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J.F. McKenney, a gunsmith in Maine, was a prolific counterstamper of large cents. The one shown here, dated 1844, bears the imprint SACO, for a town of that name in Maine. Others are stamped BATH or BIDDEFORD. Presum- ably, these punches were made for use on McKenney’s guns. It would be inter- esting to find a 19th-century firearm with similar marks.

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Comments

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @1630Boston... Thanks for an interesting article. I will look for one of those stamped by J.F. McKenney since it will bring my two major interests together. The hunt begins.... Cheers, RickO

  • divecchiadivecchia Posts: 6,673 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Cool article, thanks for sharing it. I guess that was one way to advertise your business.

    Donato

    Hobbyist & Collector (not an investor).
    Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set

    Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,752 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Many 19th century counterstamps, and especially from gunmakers like this one, are getting pretty pricey.

  • WilliamFWilliamF Posts: 831 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Is this license to post some of my own counterstamped large cents? :)

    ."It's a dangerous business... going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to" -JRR Tolkien_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Outstanding BST transactions as a seller, buyer and trader with: ----- mustanggt, Kliao, claudewill87, MWallace, paesan, mpbuck82, moursund, basetsb, lordmarcovan, JWP, Coin hunter 4, COINS MAKE CENTS, PerryHall, Aspie_Rocco, Braddick, DBSTrader2, SanctionII, Histman, The_Dinosaur_Man, jesbroken, CentSearcher ------ANA Member #3214817

  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @WilliamF said:
    Is this license to post some of my own counterstamped large cents? :)

    It's a counterstamp post that has likely ended and your additions will be informative along the lines of @1630Boston , why not?
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • 1630Boston1630Boston Posts: 13,819 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @WilliamF said:
    Is this license to post some of my own counterstamped large cents? :)

    please do

    Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb

    Bad transactions with : nobody to date

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,752 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here is a recent ebay purchase. I already have a few but I still pick them up when they're cheap enough.

    From the late Jim Skalbe, Boston area coin dealer. This one is on a c. 1806 British penny.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,752 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 9, 2022 12:15PM

    You forgot one thing. :D

    And for the 21st anniversary coming up this weekend. :'(

  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Have no idea what the counterstamp stands for on this 1798 Draped Bust Large Cent.
    Jim



    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,497 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It probably detracts from the value, but here’s one:

    Successful BST transactions with 171 members. Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
  • 1630Boston1630Boston Posts: 13,819 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @lkenefic said:
    Do chopmarks qualify?

    Just me but I would say yes :)

    Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb

    Bad transactions with : nobody to date

  • WilliamFWilliamF Posts: 831 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here's a few of my favorites :)





    ."It's a dangerous business... going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to" -JRR Tolkien_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Outstanding BST transactions as a seller, buyer and trader with: ----- mustanggt, Kliao, claudewill87, MWallace, paesan, mpbuck82, moursund, basetsb, lordmarcovan, JWP, Coin hunter 4, COINS MAKE CENTS, PerryHall, Aspie_Rocco, Braddick, DBSTrader2, SanctionII, Histman, The_Dinosaur_Man, jesbroken, CentSearcher ------ANA Member #3214817

  • ChangeInHistoryChangeInHistory Posts: 3,055 ✭✭✭✭✭


  • emeraldATVemeraldATV Posts: 4,664 ✭✭✭✭✭


  • DDRDDR Posts: 1,591 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I've had this coin for a long time, but nobody has been able to give me any information on the counterstamp. It looks Middle Eastern in origin. The host coin is a gold Zecchino from Venice. Any ideas?

  • JWPJWP Posts: 23,131 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I love the counter stamped coins even the coins with holes in them. They all seem to have their own little story. I've been told that coins with holes in them or put above doors and houses for good luck, used for washers on roofs, and put on ropes or chains so that they wouldn't lose their money when they didn't have any Pockets to put them in. The most intriguing thing about the coins with the holes is the one that has two holes in it. I've been told that the coin with two holes was a replacement for a shirt button.







    USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
    Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members

  • ZoidMeisterZoidMeister Posts: 3,120 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!

    Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, . . . . who'd I forget?

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,291 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Did the US government ever ban the counterstamping of US coins with commercial advertising?

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • Jzyskowski1Jzyskowski1 Posts: 6,650 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Found it!!! Thought maybe I’d mis-placed this. 😉🦫🙀

    🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,752 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:
    Did the US government ever ban the counterstamping of US coins with commercial advertising?

    Not sure which statute but it is prohibited for coins and currency, with some important distinctions.

    At least for coins, it is the reintroduction into circulation that is the key. If made as a keepsake or collectable then it's been allowed, if it was made to be spent then the Secret Service might come knocking.

  • gumby1234gumby1234 Posts: 5,589 ✭✭✭✭✭

    My only counterstamped.

    Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM

  • ZoidMeisterZoidMeister Posts: 3,120 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A recent arrival. I've hit a "dead end" on trying to research the creator of this one.

    Z
    .

    .

    Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!

    Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, . . . . who'd I forget?

  • KensCoins2287KensCoins2287 Posts: 155 ✭✭✭✭

    Here’s one I’ve had for I while.

  • habaracahabaraca Posts: 2,019 ✭✭✭✭✭


  • ZoidMeisterZoidMeister Posts: 3,120 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I got a million of 'em . . . . .

    Z
    .

    .


    Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!

    Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, . . . . who'd I forget?

  • 1630Boston1630Boston Posts: 13,819 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @gumby1234 said:
    My only counterstamped.

    A hundred years from now people will be wondering what that counterstamp means :D

    Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb

    Bad transactions with : nobody to date

  • BuffaloIronTailBuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,482 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This goes with the other Z coins in this thread.

    Pete

    "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
  • ZoidMeisterZoidMeister Posts: 3,120 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BuffaloIronTail said:

    This goes with the other Z coins in this thread.

    Pete

    .


    Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!

    Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, . . . . who'd I forget?

  • ZoidMeisterZoidMeister Posts: 3,120 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DNADave . . . . . . . .

    Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!

    Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, . . . . who'd I forget?

  • DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,277 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Those used to be cheap! Most of the Camp David’s we’re less than $50 and all of the others less than that. I did pay a couple hundred for the Bicentaler more recently and still need the penny.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,752 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 3, 2022 11:47AM

    @DNADave said:
    Some from my collection….

    What is that Peace Dollar with the nickel imprint? Is that the flip side of one of the Camp Davids?

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,752 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What about the three "modern" Mel Wacks issues: Hog Penny, Pope, Einstein.

  • ZoidMeisterZoidMeister Posts: 3,120 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DNADave said:
    Those used to be cheap! Most of the Camp David’s we’re less than $50 and all of the others less than that. I did pay a couple hundred for the Bicentaler more recently and still need the penny.

    I saw the penny on fleaBay a while ago. It was listed at the same time as a Charles / Diana Canadian Dollar. I could only do ONE at that time . . . . . .

    I chose wrongly, methinks . . . . . .

    Z

    .

    .

    Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!

    Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, . . . . who'd I forget?

  • DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,277 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @JBK said:

    @DNADave said:
    Some from my collection….

    What is that Peace Dollar with the nickel imprint? Is that the flip side of one of the Camp Davids?

    Yes that’s the back of the double struck prototype. I think the nickel was added due to weak first strike and then struck the 2nd time.
    Pics didn’t load in same order I added them from the phone.

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