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Does it make a difference where you sell a coin? You Bet! Stone Mountain Counterstamp sells for near

When I started collecting commems 3 years ago I developed an affinity to the Stone Mtn commem as I live nearby. Many Stone Mtn commems were issued with counterstamps, most with a state and number. These were mostly distributed to dignitaries, and organizations that would sell them at auction. These were mostly purchased by non collectors who were supporting a cause, so little care was given to most of these coins. Few exist today in unc condition. Many were used as pocket pieces, and frankly most were simply discarded as junk.

As recent as a couple of years ago, you could obtain a nice example for a couple hundred dollars. But one has to be careful because anyone with a tool and die punch set can create one. So you need to know the history before buying one. Within the past year these have started to bring some decent money at auction.

One was up for auction at our regional GNA show this weekend and I thought that as this auction is generally not well attended and most of the lots are not high dollar that maybe I would be able to get it for a reasonable price. And the cool thing was it was a GA counterstamp.

Well, I checked it out and was not exactly thrilled with its condition. Now I love original crusty coins but my to my eye it looked coroded in spots, but it is very cool no doubt. I had a family emergency that required me to come home early from the show, but I had decided that I would spend the extra dollars and bid up to $700 on eBay thinking that would shut the door on everyone. Well, the auction opened and within 10 seconds the bidding was over $800.

I think in this case the seller utililized the saying from real estate.....location, location, location. I figure trying to win a GA counterstamped Stone Mtn in GA was pretty foolish. Well, let me proclaim as all losers do....."there's always next time"

Auction Link

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Comments

  • FC57CoinsFC57Coins Posts: 9,140
    Someone must've really wanted that coin. Like errors, they have their niche, Im sure some others will surface in due time.
  • wam98wam98 Posts: 2,685
    image I always wanted to see one of these. Thanks for posting. image
    Wayne
    ******
  • LeeGLeeG Posts: 12,162
    Very image FatMan. Sorry you didn't snag itimage But as Frank said: A Nicer one will surface!
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    I think the very cool and detailed provenance that came along with it probably boosted the realized price quite a bit.

    Russ, NCNE
  • fivecentsfivecents Posts: 11,207 ✭✭✭✭✭
    John, I had a UDC counterstamped stone Mountain commem: ALA chapter 220(if memory serves). For $25 the ANA photographed it and researched it. I sold it three years ago at the GNA show for $850.00. Should have kept it.image
  • FatManFatMan Posts: 8,977
    Paul,

    The UDC "United Daughters of the Confederacy" issues are even more desirable than the general state counterstamp. It is believed the UDC higher numbers represent the chapters. $850 three years ago is strong money. I think you sold it at the right place.

    Russ,

    I agree the provenance contributed to the price. I've done some research and find the provenance to be puzzling at best. A "Whiting Gold Refining of NYC" gold submission envelope laying around the Pavo Ga school office strikes me as unusual. Pavo is a tiny rural cross-roads in South Georgia with a population today of 771. No school exists in Pavo today but there certainly could have been one 1926. But that envelope laying around? Maybe I'm too skeptical. I asked this question to the auction rep when I viewed the lot and he could give me no specifics. Still pretty cool non the less.

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