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Ok, so I bought it... what the hell is it?

coinpicturescoinpictures Posts: 5,345 ✭✭✭
in World & Ancient Coins Forum
Stumbled across this item on UK eBay. Looks like it will be a nice peripheral addition to my collection of fractional farthings.

The details on the inset/counterstamp look too sharp to be homemade.

What is it?

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Numismotography

1/2 Cents

U.S. Revenue Stamps

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Comments

  • HussuloHussulo Posts: 2,953 ✭✭✭
    Weird but very cool. The Penny hasn't been machined into and the 1/3 farthing stuck in by any chance? if not then I'm a bit stumped.





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  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,449 ✭✭✭✭✭
    no idea but it is very cool...

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • SapyxSapyx Posts: 2,263 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>...The Penny hasn't been machined into and the 1/3 farthing stuck in by any chance?... >>


    That would be my guess.
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  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,398 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes, somebody routed out a hole in the penny and inserted the smaller coin. Makes me think of something somebody in shop class might do, just for the heck of it.
    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • LynchLynch Posts: 299


    << <i>Yes, somebody routed out a hole in the penny and inserted the smaller coin. Makes me think of something somebody in shop class might do, just for the heck of it. >>



    You might be right. OTOH, I think I see a circular flattened area on the portrait on the obverse, such as might be produced by counterstamping a coin. Since the host coin is a 1917, it would have to have been made that year or later.

    So why would someone be counterstamping a penny with a die dated at least 15 years earlier (1902)?

    Maybe it is a die trial of a counterfeit 1902 reverse die? Or an after-hours unofficial mint product?
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  • satootokosatootoko Posts: 2,720 ✭


    << <i>I think I see a circular flattened area on the portrait on the obverse, such as might be produced by counterstamping a coin. >>

    It could also be a result of hammering the insert into place with a rubber mallet, on a hard surface.
    Roy


    image
  • wybritwybrit Posts: 6,972 ✭✭✭
    Pretty unusual - nice keepsake.
    Former owner, Cambridge Gate collection.
  • coinpicturescoinpictures Posts: 5,345 ✭✭✭
    Yeah, it pegged my Bizarre-o-Meter (tm) so I figure for $20 shipped it's worth it as a conversation piece if nothing else...

    I do like the overall effect of the reverse though.
    Numismotography

    1/2 Cents

    U.S. Revenue Stamps

    image
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