A Unique Draped Bust Dime tied to John Wilkes Booth

Omegaraptor

In a trade recently I exchanged an 8 Reales cob for a Byzantine gold piece and this 1807 Draped Bust Dime.

Kunkel’s Opera Troupe was a minstrel show in Baltimore in the 1850s operated by George Kunkel. This show is well-known for employing John Wilkes Booth as an actor (before he left for a better job at Ford’s Theatre in DC).

https://www.novanumismatics.com/george-kunkels-opera-troupe-tokens-of-baltimore/

Kunkel’s would counterstamp coins in Baltimore commerce to advertise their shows. At least 50 coins are known in total with the Kunkel’s counterstamp, most of these are Spanish-American 2 Reales. Several other types are known as well, including several on 1 Reales, one on a Draped Bust Quarter, and more. This counterstamp on a Draped Bust Dime, a scarce type to begin with, is unlisted in Rulau, making this piece likely unique - it is the only one that, to my knowledge, has appeared on the market. Perhaps there are others waiting to be discovered.

Between a historically significant counterstamp, an elusive host type, and the fact that probably not even Bezos or Musk could have two of these if they wanted to, this may be the coolest piece in my collection.

bronzemat

That's cool!

ms70

A really nice historic piece.

Namvet69

Great historic piece to have in your collection. Peace Roy

Tramp

Cool part of history. Thanks for sharing!

RobertScotLover

So tell me how is it tied to J.W.B. again?

JBK

@RobertScotLover said:
So tell me how is it tied to J.W.B. again?

From the original post:

Kunkel’s Opera Troupe was a minstrel show in Baltimore in the 1850s operated by George Kunkel. This show is well-known for employing John Wilkes Booth as an actor (before he left for a better job at Ford’s Theatre in DC).

OAKSTAR

@Omegaraptor- With all the documentation you have, would a TPG'er slab it as such?

jayPem

That's awesome. Great post.

ricko

Great piece of history.... How did you determine it is an 1807? I cannot see any trace of date in that picture. Not doubting, just curious. Cheers, RickO

Omegaraptor

@OAKSTAR said:
@Omegaraptor- With all the documentation you have, would a TPG'er slab it as such?

Oakstar - NGC recognizes this counterstamp. They have slabbed quite a few Kunkel’s coins and included the counterstamp with reference number on the holder. This one might be worth sending in.

@ricko said:
Great piece of history.... How did you determine it is an 1807? I cannot see any trace of date in that picture. Not doubting, just curious. Cheers, RickO

RickO - The first obverse picture is normal orientation. The date is visible in the normal spot on that photo - in fact, the die clash associated with later states of the 1807 DBD is still visible! Only one die pair was used to strike this entire issue - and the reverse die was also used to strike the same-size quarter eagles of 1807.

RobertScotLover

@JBK said:

@RobertScotLover said:
So tell me how is it tied to J.W.B. again?

From the original post:

Kunkel’s Opera Troupe was a minstrel show in Baltimore in the 1850s operated by George Kunkel. This show is well-known for employing John Wilkes Booth as an actor (before he left for a better job at Ford’s Theatre in DC).

Yes I read that but I do not understand who that ties this coin directly to J.W.B.? Maybe you can tell me what you are thinking.

JBK

@RobertScotLover said:

@JBK said:

@RobertScotLover said:
So tell me how is it tied to J.W.B. again?

From the original post:

Kunkel’s Opera Troupe was a minstrel show in Baltimore in the 1850s operated by George Kunkel. This show is well-known for employing John Wilkes Booth as an actor (before he left for a better job at Ford’s Theatre in DC).

Yes I read that but I do not understand who that ties this coin directly to J.W.B.? Maybe you can tell me what you are thinking.

It's a loose connection. JWB worked for the outfit that issued the token.

I am not aware that the OP claimed a "direct" connection, unless that hole is from target practice.

Icollecteverything

"If you wanna know the truth
You gotta dig up Johnny Booth"

Sorry, I had to do it.

RobertScotLover

@JBK said:

@RobertScotLover said:

@JBK said:

@RobertScotLover said:
So tell me how is it tied to J.W.B. again?

From the original post:

Kunkel’s Opera Troupe was a minstrel show in Baltimore in the 1850s operated by George Kunkel. This show is well-known for employing John Wilkes Booth as an actor (before he left for a better job at Ford’s Theatre in DC).

Yes I read that but I do not understand who that ties this coin directly to J.W.B.? Maybe you can tell me what you are thinking.

It's a loose connection. JWB worked for the outfit that issued the token.

I am not aware that the OP claimed a "direct" connection, unless that hole is from target practice.

My bad, the Title of the op says:"A Unique Draped Bust Dime tied to John Wilkes Booth". I am the one who then questioned:
"@RobertScotLover said:
So tell me how is it tied to J.W.B. again?
From the original post:

Kunkel’s Opera Troupe was a minstrel show in Baltimore in the 1850s operated by George Kunkel. This show is well-known for employing John Wilkes Booth as an actor (before he left for a better job at Ford’s Theatre in DC)."

So you are correct the op made no direct connection just that the show employed J.W.B. at some point , effectively meaning there is no direct connection.
Sorry for the confusion.