1807 Capped Bust Half CounterStamp- A.J. Miller & Co
Sean1990
Posts: 64 ✭✭✭
I recently purchased this 1807 Bust Half with an interesting counterstamp. I can't find much info other than a company that started in 1853. Any opinions, info or comments appreciated!
8
Comments
You probably already know this, but "A.J. MILLER & Co." is not listed in the Brunk guide (so it's not a well known countermark).
http://www.exonumia.com/art/cmc.htm
I did notice that to my dismay! I did see Miller & Co so I was hoping there was possibly some correlation.
Counter stamps are interesting ... and some are valued by collectors. I have not seen that one here before. Cheers, RickO
You have a very nice counterstamp there and I think you're right on with your research. The half was stamped with a very nice, prepared punch and I'm guessing there must be others out there somewhere. The only business I could find that makes sense is the A.J. Miller Co. carriage company and coach manufacturer from Bellefontaine, OH. I'm guessing THIS is the website you found. It wasn't uncommon for 19th century carriage and coach companies to counterstamp coins and even manufacture their own tokens.
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Pretty cool!
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Thank you guys! I love exonumia and anything Capped Bust Half. It struck me as odd that a coin minted 46 years before they became a company was used as a host coin but silver was silver and I suppose this could have been circulating in the 1850s!
Ditto on all counts
BHNC #203
Here is one:
BHNC #203
That type face sure does not look like 19th Century.
which one?
BHNC #203
Miller
The fact that is stamped twice may be a hint as to why this exists and no others are recorded. It may well have been used to test a newly arrived punch that was intended to be used on parts made by the company. Capped Bust half dollars would have been quite plentiful in circulation during the entire 19th century since they had often been held in large quantities as bank reserves during that period. The stamp was probably applied to the coin after silver coins started circulating again in the east in the 1870's and could have been applied much later. How long did this company stay in business?
Appears they were in business until 1954 when Wayne Works, a school bus producer purchased the company. Should appear to anyone interested in automobile related exonumia!