The Romance of Counterstamps - Post your counter stamped coins if you like
From THE NUMISMATIST • MARCH 1992
.
J.F. McKenney, a gunsmith in Maine, was a prolific counterstamper of large cents. The one shown here, dated 1844, bears the imprint SACO, for a town of that name in Maine. Others are stamped BATH or BIDDEFORD. Presum- ably, these punches were made for use on McKenney’s guns. It would be inter- esting to find a 19th-century firearm with similar marks.
.
.
.
.
.
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
Comments
-
Nice article. I enjoy counterstamps as well. Really brings the pieces alive and opens the door to research.
On another note, can 1992 reeeeally be 30 years ago?Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."6 -
@1630Boston... Thanks for an interesting article. I will look for one of those stamped by J.F. McKenney since it will bring my two major interests together. The hunt begins.... Cheers, RickO
2 -
Cool article, thanks for sharing it. I guess that was one way to advertise your business.
Donato
Hobbyist & Collector (not an investor).
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)1 -
Many 19th century counterstamps, and especially from gunmakers like this one, are getting pretty pricey.
1 -
Is this license to post some of my own counterstamped large cents?
."It's a dangerous business... going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to" -JRR Tolkien_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Outstanding BST transactions as a seller, buyer and trader with: ----- mustanggt, Kliao, claudewill87, MWallace, paesan, mpbuck82, moursund, basetsb, lordmarcovan, JWP, Coin hunter 4, COINS MAKE CENTS, PerryHall, Aspie_Rocco, Braddick, DBSTrader2, SanctionII, Histman, The_Dinosaur_Man, jesbroken, CentSearcher ------ANA Member #3214817
3 -
@WilliamF said:
Is this license to post some of my own counterstamped large cents?It's a counterstamp post that has likely ended and your additions will be informative along the lines of @1630Boston , why not?
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain2 -
@WilliamF said:
Is this license to post some of my own counterstamped large cents?please do
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
1 -
Here is a recent ebay purchase. I already have a few but I still pick them up when they're cheap enough.
From the late Jim Skalbe, Boston area coin dealer. This one is on a c. 1806 British penny.
4 -
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
5 -
You forgot one thing.
And for the 21st anniversary coming up this weekend. :'(
4 -
Have no idea what the counterstamp stands for on this 1798 Draped Bust Large Cent.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain4 -
Here's one that is definitely PMD and not an error.
And a couple British pub tokens. If only they could talk! (They'd presumably have a British accent.
).
10 -
It probably detracts from the value, but here’s one:
Successful BST transactions with 177 members. breakdown, scotty1419, mattniss, bigjpst, onlyroosies, Manorcourtman, guitarwes, Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug4 -
Do chopmarks qualify?
Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;
Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.6 -
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
0 -
Since chopmarks are all good, I'll drop this one here.
5 -
Here's a few of my favorites
."It's a dangerous business... going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to" -JRR Tolkien_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Outstanding BST transactions as a seller, buyer and trader with: ----- mustanggt, Kliao, claudewill87, MWallace, paesan, mpbuck82, moursund, basetsb, lordmarcovan, JWP, Coin hunter 4, COINS MAKE CENTS, PerryHall, Aspie_Rocco, Braddick, DBSTrader2, SanctionII, Histman, The_Dinosaur_Man, jesbroken, CentSearcher ------ANA Member #3214817
4 -
Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!
Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, jshaulis, . . . . who'd I forget?
5 -
3 -
3 -
Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!
Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, jshaulis, . . . . who'd I forget?
5 -
I've had this coin for a long time, but nobody has been able to give me any information on the counterstamp. It looks Middle Eastern in origin. The host coin is a gold Zecchino from Venice. Any ideas?
David
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"4 -
Franklin Counterstamp on a 1799 Draped Bust Silver Dollar.
Ex: B. Max Mehl Belden Rausch Sale (1944), lot 1643.
Mehl wrote: "Of highest numismatic and historical interest. It is difficult to place a value on a coin of this kind, but I would say that $50.00 would be a fair price for it."
It brought a strong $87.50.8 -
Guatemala 1st counter stamp
5 -
I could probably post counterstamps all day...
Here's a weird one I don't think I've ever posted
7 -
I love the counter stamped coins even the coins with holes in them. They all seem to have their own little story. I've been told that coins with holes in them or put above doors and houses for good luck, used for washers on roofs, and put on ropes or chains so that they wouldn't lose their money when they didn't have any Pockets to put them in. The most intriguing thing about the coins with the holes is the one that has two holes in it. I've been told that the coin with two holes was a replacement for a shirt button.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members4 -
Here's a vintage counterstamp urging recipients to keep this old Shield Nickel in circulation.
Here's my own counterstamp for coins rarely seen in circulation that the general public might think are worth saving. (This one is for the European consumer - a Vatican City 50 euro cent coin).
5 -
6 -
Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!
Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, jshaulis, . . . . who'd I forget?
4 -
Did the US government ever ban the counterstamping of US coins with commercial advertising?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire1 -
Found it!!! Thought maybe I’d mis-placed this. 😉🦫🙀
🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶
3 -
@PerryHall said:
Did the US government ever ban the counterstamping of US coins with commercial advertising?Not sure which statute but it is prohibited for coins and currency, with some important distinctions.
At least for coins, it is the reintroduction into circulation that is the key. If made as a keepsake or collectable then it's been allowed, if it was made to be spent then the Secret Service might come knocking.
1 -
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
8 -
My grandfather worked at General Motors Fisher Body, so when I saw this coin, I had to add it to my collection:
9 -
My only counterstamped.
Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM
3 -
A recent arrival. I've hit a "dead end" on trying to research the creator of this one.
Z
..
Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!
Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, jshaulis, . . . . who'd I forget?
2 -
Here’s one I’ve had for I while.
3 -
4 -
I got a million of 'em . . . . .
Z
..
Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!
Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, jshaulis, . . . . who'd I forget?
3 -
@gumby1234 said:
My only counterstamped.A hundred years from now people will be wondering what that counterstamp means
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
2 -
This goes with the other Z coins in this thread.
Pete
"I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon2 -
Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!
Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, jshaulis, . . . . who'd I forget?
0 -
Some from my collection….
5 -
@DNADave . . . . . . . .
Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!
Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, jshaulis, . . . . who'd I forget?
1 -
Those used to be cheap! Most of the Camp David’s we’re less than $50 and all of the others less than that. I did pay a couple hundred for the Bicentaler more recently and still need the penny.
1 -
What about the three "modern" Mel Wacks issues: Hog Penny, Pope, Einstein.
1 -
@DNADave said:
Those used to be cheap! Most of the Camp David’s we’re less than $50 and all of the others less than that. I did pay a couple hundred for the Bicentaler more recently and still need the penny.I saw the penny on fleaBay a while ago. It was listed at the same time as a Charles / Diana Canadian Dollar. I could only do ONE at that time . . . . . .
I chose wrongly, methinks . . . . . .
Z
.
.
Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!
Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, jshaulis, . . . . who'd I forget?
3 -
Yes that’s the back of the double struck prototype. I think the nickel was added due to weak first strike and then struck the 2nd time.
Pics didn’t load in same order I added them from the phone.1 -
Appreciate any help deciphering this one. TIA.
6
resized.jpg)
Leave a Comment
Categories
- All Categories
- 520.1K Coins and Currency - PCGS
- 328.5K U.S. Coin Forum
- 14.8K PCGS Set Registry Forum
- 5.2K Q & A Forum
- 41.4K World & Ancient Coins Forum
- 3K U.S. & World Currency Forum
- 96.4K Buy, Sell, & Trade - U.S. Coins
- 7.3K Buy, Sell & Trade - World & Ancient Coins
- 1.5K Buy, Sell & Trade - Currency
- 61 Random
- 246.2K Trading Cards, Autographs and Memorabilia - PSA
- 90.3K Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
- 1.7K Autographs Forum
- 16.4K PSA Set Registry Forum
- 22K Sports Talk
- 115K Buy, Sell & Trade - Cards & Memorabilia
- 663 Buy, Sell & Trade - Autographs
- 2.2K Stamps
- 1.5K Stamps Forum
- 670 Buy, Sell & Trade - Stamps
- 83 Coin Shows
- 83 General Coin Show Information and Discussion
- 11.9K Misc
- 11.9K Testing Forum