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Black Hills Counter-stamp
Veep
Posts: 1,504 ✭✭✭✭
Anybody seen this stamp before and have info on it?
"Let me tell ya Bud, you can buy junk anytime!"
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Individual letter counterstamps almost always indicate a one-off personal piece rather than a merchant stamp. They are (rightfully) not cataloged in Brunk with a couple exceptions that were done in quantity. That said, the OP c/s appears definitely of the period and gives some hope for research to identify E.T. Smith (although his common name muddies the waters a bit).
To help put it in historical perspective, General George Armstrong Custer was killed in 1876 not far from the Hills - part of his mission was to protect the "acquired" Black Hills from marauding (& displaced) Native Americans. Wild Bill Hickok was killed during the same year in Deadwood, Dakota Territory smack in the middle of this gold region. The wear on the quarter would place the date of the c/s sometime after the strike date.
Brunk does list an E. Smith that did c/s both seated quarters and large cents, but offers no other info.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
Counterstamps can be quite interesting. I have resisted collecting them, because I would become totally absorbed if I started... and have more than enough with coins and other interests to fully occupy my days and evenings. That is an interesting one for sure. Cheers, RickO
Bumping this so some of the counterstamp afficionados can give their opinions. I like it.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
That is a cool one.