"WA" scratched into early silver coins?

Baley

I've seen lots of early silver coins with some variation of the letters W and A scratched into them, usually on the obverse, usually in the fields rather than on the devices.

For Example

I even have one, this 1806 half dollar:



Anyone seen other examples? Any idea what the story behind this is?

I'm assuming someone who lived 190 or so years ago went around doing this, either as test marks to verify silver content, or as graffitti.

trozau

Probably just some Wise Azz.

Baley

Anyone? Sometimes it's "AM"

for example..

joeyuk

I seem to rember reading in coin world something on this. Can't rember the details now. Joe

XpipedreamR

These pieces are obviously from the collection of Willie Aames, star of Eight is Enough and Charles in Charge !

Gemini

I have 2 coins with a W scratched in.

AU Seated Half to the right of Liberty (fairly large but light) X/ < (middle part of W crosses over)

Uncirculated C/N Indian Cent with same W on reverse.

I think it was Homer Downing once famed Large Cent collector who used to print his initials in ink on the edges of his Large Cents.
Maybe scratching initials was a way to I.D. your coins long ago.