Colonial attribution ink question.
Oldnewbie
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I have become somewhat captivated with the use of attribution ink on colonial coins. My question is, if I am a collector of these coins, and I place my own attribution numbers on these coins, what differentiates my later marks from the earlier ones?
Eric
Eric
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Jerry
<< <i>I have become somewhat captivated with the use of attribution ink on colonial coins. My question is, if I am a collector of these coins, and I place my own attribution numbers on these coins, what differentiates my later marks from the earlier ones?
Eric >>
Hi Eric,
I'll begin be answering a question you didn't ask:
Q: Do collectors like these coins with attribution ink on them?
A: Some do - as you and Jade have mentioned here on the forum - as well as others, while some don't. I wouldn't buy an inked coin, for example, but thats just me.
So, some people consider attribution inking on coins to be a charming link to our colonial collecting heritage
(small h, no web site), others see it as unsightly graffiti.
With that in mind, I think an inked attribution is only desireable to a subset of collectors and then ONLY if it is original, historical and 'charming'.
If you were to ink your coins using the same technique and the same inks as were used 'back then', you might end of with a coin that is indistinguishable from the old examples, with all of the requisite charm. Or, more likely you will end with something that looks like a modern attempt to replicate the old look.
For fun, for your own enjoyment I guess its your choice.
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For fun, for your own enjoyment I guess its your choice. >>
I wasn't implying that I would actually ink my own coins, I just wondered if one could tell "modern" markings from original and how?
Eric
Hi Eric,
As you already know, I am enamored with attribution ink on colonial coppers. There's not much documentation on the background of attribution ink, but some of the C4 (colonial coin club) members have information that they have shared with me. First of all, to answer your question, there was at least one person who was forging attribution ink on Connecticut coppers, Fugios and other colonials few years ago (what a jerk, huh?). Identifying the modern inked coins is not easy, but can be done. The primary difference is that the ink is too white. If you examine the attribution ink on your inked CT, you will see that the ink actually has a patina and is discolored. Look with even higher magnification, and you can see fine crackling sometimes on the ink.
In my own experience, I have positively identified at least 3 different styles of attribution ink on colonials. The one I sold you (your icon coin), is by far the best done. Whoever that collector was, he was very particular about the placement and quality of his inked attributions. The worst one was done with a much broader brush and sometimes it's even difficult to read the attributions. I was told by one colonial expert that there's information on the collectors who actually did the inking, probably obtained via researching of old auction catalogs.
In case you're wondering why someone would "paint" the attribution on a colonial copper, here's my understanding and opinion: Publications of works that identified different varieties of colonial coins were available to collectors in the late 1800's. For example, Maris released his work on NJ coppers in 1880. At that time, and even well into the 1960's, collecting colonial coins was comparable to collecting sea shells today. Colonial coins were readily available (remember that millions of these coppers were struck) and there was not a big demand by collectors. The supply/demand ratio was such that these "old coppers" were literally selling for $0.01 or $0.02 each. The really nice ones could be had for $1 or so. Now that collectors had variety references (i.e. Maris for NJ, Miller for Conn., Ryder for Vermont, etc.), they could affordably collect a particular series by obtaining the different varieties. This was coin collecting in its purest form. In the 1890's and early 1900's, coin holders were not ubiquitous. Even if one did have an envelope, it may not be worth wasting it on a cheap-o colonial coin. So, how else would one keep track of his different varieties? How about if you write the variety right on the coin! After all, these are not expensive coins......they are like sea shells.
I see more attribution ink on Connecticut coppers than any other issue. Probably for a few reasons. My theory is that CTs offer more varieties than any other colonial (nearly 400 different). Amazing, isn't it? Also, Miller's work on CTs was released in 1920. With The Great Depression some to come, collectors were probably looking for the most affordable way to enjoy their hobby, even through the hard times.
How rare or scarce are inked colonials? Well, I have sold less than 20 in my career. I have seen others, but they represent a small percentage of the coins on the market. Probably because some people collect inked coins and they have mostly been removed from the market. Also, we must assume that many of the coins have been "curated" to remove the ink. Does original attribution ink add value to the coin? As confirmed by CCU, only if you are interested in that sort of thing. To some, it's just damage. To others it's a link to the early days of The King of Hobbies; American coin collecting. I am in the second group.
I should make note that I am not the authority on attribution inked colonials. Most of the thoughts I expressed above are my thoughts and opinions, or is simply information that I am relaying from others. I am sure that there are others on this forum who know much more about inked coins (i.e. the names of the collectors, how many collectors, etc.). I know that some colonial experts lurk here, but do not post. Maybe now is your chance to make that first post (hi Ed).
I would think Pistareen (John K. from ANR) would have plenty of information for us on this subject. John, ya out there today? I am also sure that Mr. Bowers can enlighten us on the subject.
Dennis
PS - I absolutely love colonial coins (with or without ink
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I always wondered what the graffiti on your coin was. Now I know.
This is a very interesting thread.
I missed another possibility. If the numbers on the coin don't match attribution numbers, they can sometimes be acquision numbers. Many museums and some collectors log their new acquisions sequencially and most museums wll place that number somewhere on the itemin an out of the way spot. With a coin though, there is no good spot so so it gets written on on side and the other side is displayed.
Mark
After I made my post, I remembered that Conder101 would have some very useful information and was going to PM him. I got side tracked, checked back and of course he did post with some great new information. Learn something new every day! Thanks Conder.
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Eric
<< <i>For what it's worth, PCGS will (at least sometimes) slab an inked colonial because I have one. However, it's in my bank vault and I'm darned if I can remember what it is. But it's in a PCGS slab with a (light) inked number on it. I wish I had more detials, but my memory is failing me...
Mark >>
Mark, if you get a chance, would you post that coin? I would love to see it, and the holder.
Eric