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Does anyone own an old mint mark punch?

kookoox10kookoox10 Posts: 538 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

I'm curious to see what one of these punches look like in a photo. Does anyone have a sample of one of these MM punches?

Comments

  • oih82w8oih82w8 Posts: 12,646 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Not a great image, but...

    http://www.doubleddie.com/58243.html

    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

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  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 36,244 ✭✭✭✭✭

    ooohhh. added to the dream list

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This type of punch exists in the tens of thousands. They were common among several trades are remain widely used in fine tableware and jewelry production. The Mint had outside engravers make sets of letter, numeral and word punches. These were used for decades until they wore out or became obsolete.

    Unless some special mark is on the shank of the punch, a mintmark punch looks like any other punch with the same letter.

    Bottom line - don't assume a small steel punch with a "D" on it is an authentic Denver mintmark tool.

  • BackroadJunkieBackroadJunkie Posts: 3,745 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @RogerB said:
    This type of punch exists in the tens of thousands. They were common among several trades are remain widely used in fine tableware and jewelry production.

    (snip)

    Bottom line - don't assume a small steel punch with a "D" on it is an authentic Denver mintmark tool.

    Yeah, I even have a couple of sets of punches in different sizes of the entire alphabet plus some special characters.

    They were the ANSI character set before computers. :)

    Mine weren't used by the mint, though.

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,401 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @RogerB said:
    This type of punch exists in the tens of thousands. They were common among several trades are remain widely used in fine tableware and jewelry production. The Mint had outside engravers make sets of letter, numeral and word punches. These were used for decades until they wore out or became obsolete.

    Unless some special mark is on the shank of the punch, a mintmark punch looks like any other punch with the same letter.

    Bottom line - don't assume a small steel punch with a "D" on it is an authentic Denver mintmark tool.

    On the other hand, if they are all the same, you can tell yourself that other punches are just like those used at the Mint and possibly could have been used at the mint, even if improbable ;)

    Private Mint News | 2010 Lincoln Reverse Finalists
  • Insider2Insider2 Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 20, 2017 5:38PM

    My set of three used punches was a gift from the chief engraver at the Philly Mint during a visit to his office in 1973. The shanks on all three (P,D,and S) have "Property of the U.S."

    LOL...couldn't resist. :(
    Hope you'all think this was funny as I'm feeling a little guilty now. The devil made me do it.

  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 20, 2017 5:46PM

    Ahhhh....stolen personal property from the US Mint ! Yikes! They'll take you to the Supreme Court to get those valuable chattels back.... ;)

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,401 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What about one for one exchanges? Provide your new punch in exchange for a used punch! ;)

    Private Mint News | 2010 Lincoln Reverse Finalists
  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    ...and what about exchanging both Punch and Judy?

  • Insider2Insider2 Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Good, I don't feel so bad now. Punch and Frank (Gasparro). Things were so quiet around here I was bored.

  • OldEastsideOldEastside Posts: 4,602 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I had a Hawaiian Punch once

    Steve

    Promote the Hobby
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Lends a new meaning to "exchanging punches"... :D Cheers, RickO

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