I came across this today. It's a "China Freedom Dollar" issued to raise money for Chinese students who were stranded in the US after the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989.
Sorry for the bad photus - the counterstamps are usually a bit shallow and very difficult to photograph well.
Silver coins of the types used in China at the turn of the (last) century were used. Mine appears to be an 1888 Mexico 8 reales, with a few chopmarks.
And a couple British pub tokens. If only they could talk! (They'd presumably have a British accent. ).
If only my British-born and raised grandfather, Rev. W. Grime, could talk and explain what he was doing in a pub, let alone owning one. "Grime" is not a common name.
@OAKSTAR I have several of those (from previous thread)
.
.
I forgot about these but the one was part of the acetone (light green) bath with several foreign coins and the other was okay since it is in the 2x2 I bought it in some years and years ago.
.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2YNufnS_kf4 - Mama I'm coming home ...................................................................................................................................................................... RLJ 1958 - 2023
No counterstamp thread worth its salt would omit Houck's work. Thank you, @EXOJUNKIE, for rescuing it. Below is another belonging to Sheridan Downey along with his excellent write-up about the conman and his business.
Lance.
If you have an interest in countermarked coins you are familiar with the name Jacob Houck. Houck used circulating coins to advertise his business. He whacked away at quarters, half-dollars, dollars and sundry foreign specie, placing a prominent cartouche in the obverse field that identified himself, his favorite elixir and the city where he could be found: Houck’s – Panacea – Baltimore. The vast majority of Houck’s countermarks are on capped bust half-dollars, most of those with dates in the 1830s.
Houck also placed expansive ads in newspapers. His logo featured the Tree of Life, topped with a sunburst and ribbon-ended scroll that proclaimed HOUCK’S PANACEA. The text of his ads generally began with capital letters – “shouting” in today’s Internet-texting parlance – assuring one and all that his PANACEA was PREPARED SOLELY FROM VEGETABLE MATTER BY JACOB HOUCK and that “This justly celebrated Panacea may be taken with perfect safety by all ages and in all diseases.” There followed a list a 30 to 40 maladies for which the elixir would provide not just symptomatic relief but an actual cure. Minor discomforts included heart burn, colds, dyspepsia and loss of appetite. Without modesty or uncertainty the list enumerated various life-threatening conditions such as consumption, cholera, whooping cough, influenza, palsy, mercurial and venereal diseases.
In 1833 Houck sought a patent for his elixir. The application caught the eye of a writer for the Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. The Franklin Institute in 1833 (and today) was “devoted to the mechanical arts, general science the recording of American and other patented inventions.” After he reviewed the legion of maladies for which the Panacea could provide a cure the writer, with tongue in cheek, bemoaned the absence of Intemperance. When the recipe for the Panacea was examined the reason for the omission appeared. The Panacea required only 5 ingredients. Here they are, in proper proportions:
25 gallons, rye whiskey!
25 lbs. gum guaiac. (A resin obtained from the guaiacum tree, used in varnishes and as a preservative.)
150 lbs. sugar.
1 lb. oil of juniper.
5 oz. oil of lemon.
Coins are Neato!
"If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone...somewhere...is making a penny." - Steven Wright
Is that someone's name or did they lose the Y punch?
Those in Connecticut and NY know the Mianus exit well.
I literally used to live next to the exit before I moved out here to Colorado about 30 years ago.
Side note: It's pronounced My-Ann-Us for those who don't know lol
Coins are Neato!
"If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone...somewhere...is making a penny." - Steven Wright
Some I have accumulated. The Guatemala cob 30 dollar junk bin find didn’t know what I had until I did some research to figure out what the counter strike was Guatemala 1st counter strike 2nd 2 mountains 3rd 3 mountains 1860
The moment I saw this thread title I was expecting many Houck's Panacea counterstamped bust halves. I was surprised it took me until the second page to see one!
@DDR said:
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?
It’s an Ottoman “sah” mark, which translates to “It is good”. Here’s another:
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Both your coin and @ZoidMeister's coin are similar in style. My theory is that someone with a punch set had set up at fairs, expositions, carnivals or other tourist attractions and would make these to order for a small fee. Another possibility is someone with a punch set made these for friends and family. There are probably others in existence with other names.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
This one was of interest to me because it shares the same first initial and last name as mine. Even the middle initial is only off by one letter. J.C. Roy was apparently a home builder in Columbia, SC.
A very special counterstamp representing the earliest numismatic work of the great Boston die sinker, Joseph H. Merriam:
I was privileged to acquire this unique piece a few years back from David Schenkman, who had it in his own collection for over 40 years.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
These a few of mine
I really enjoy collecting anything around the mid 1800s especially the Civil War era. Sorry for the poor quality pictures but didn't really want to take the coins out of the 2x2s.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
This group of four Large Cents was purchased off eBay a couple weeks ago and arrived in my PO Box the Monday before Christmas. A fun bunch and totally original with plenty of dirt and grime.
1.) 1856 Large Cent with O.E.P. - I believe this style is similar to what PerryHall described and were likely personalized cent souvenirs with the initials of the customer for a small fee.
2.) 1849 Large Cent with JACKSON & CO - Can't find any info or listing of this counterstamp.
3.) 1848 Large Cent with OIL / OF / ICE - A well known counterstamp although more often found on other coinage such as Indian Cents and Two Cent Pieces. Less commonly seen on Large Cents. I did see one reference online that stated these were also issued by Goodwin, but have seen no evidence as to such. Love the look and probably my favorite piece of the group.
4.) 1847 Large Cent with USE / G.G.G. / & / G.G.G.G. - Well known counterstamp advertising Goodwin's Grand Greasejuice and Goodwin's Grand Glittering Globules. Attributed to Goodwin of Exiter, New Hampshire. A really fun counterstamp and my favorite of the group. Below it is a bill of advertisement from 1857 in the Library of Congress. A partial transcription...
That I shall be perplexed, full well I know,
To make my meaning and my words both chime;
And in my accustomed prose they both should flow,
Did not Ambition prompt to write in rhyme.
And this Ambition, I would have you know,
Is not to “come the poet” for mere show;
For no such paltry bubble do I try,
But, to induce you to walk up and buy.
Then give me, friends, attention, if you please,
While I to you explain the four great G's,
Which on this bill first meet your wondering eyes,—
I'll quickly tell you what they advertise.
The first great G. means GOODWIN; — that is — ME;
The next is Grand, which you will shortly see
Applies to every thing which I invent.
That this is true, all readily assent.
The fourth initial G. upon my bills,
Signifies GLOBULES, some would call them Pills;
With which, in form, 'tis true they do agree,
But from their nauseous properties are free.
The third great G. (which you before have noted)
Stands there for GLITTERING; — meaning that they shine
With the pure product of the silver mine.
To this, ere long, I will refer again,
Its application fully to explain.
And to continue with humble verses,
(Written to draw the money from your purses;)
These GLOBULES were not meant to save from death,
But merely to correct a foetid breath,
With which mankind (one half at least) are vexed;
The reasons I'll proceed to show you next.
The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. -Thomas Jefferson
Comments
I came across this today. It's a "China Freedom Dollar" issued to raise money for Chinese students who were stranded in the US after the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989.
Sorry for the bad photus - the counterstamps are usually a bit shallow and very difficult to photograph well.
Silver coins of the types used in China at the turn of the (last) century were used. Mine appears to be an 1888 Mexico 8 reales, with a few chopmarks.
If only my British-born and raised grandfather, Rev. W. Grime, could talk and explain what he was doing in a pub, let alone owning one. "Grime" is not a common name.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Nice fleur-de-lis, @habaraca!
@OAKSTAR I have several of those (from previous thread)
.
.
I forgot about these but the one was part of the acetone (light green) bath with several foreign coins and the other was okay since it is in the 2x2 I bought it in some years and years ago.
.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2YNufnS_kf4 - Mama I'm coming home ...................................................................................................................................................................... RLJ 1958 - 2023
ANA LM
USAF Retired — 34 years of active military service! 🇺🇸
I am still waiting to find one of these,
reasonably priced
BHNC #203
No counterstamp thread worth its salt would omit Houck's work. Thank you, @EXOJUNKIE, for rescuing it. Below is another belonging to Sheridan Downey along with his excellent write-up about the conman and his business.
Lance.
If you have an interest in countermarked coins you are familiar with the name Jacob Houck. Houck used circulating coins to advertise his business. He whacked away at quarters, half-dollars, dollars and sundry foreign specie, placing a prominent cartouche in the obverse field that identified himself, his favorite elixir and the city where he could be found: Houck’s – Panacea – Baltimore. The vast majority of Houck’s countermarks are on capped bust half-dollars, most of those with dates in the 1830s.
Houck also placed expansive ads in newspapers. His logo featured the Tree of Life, topped with a sunburst and ribbon-ended scroll that proclaimed HOUCK’S PANACEA. The text of his ads generally began with capital letters – “shouting” in today’s Internet-texting parlance – assuring one and all that his PANACEA was PREPARED SOLELY FROM VEGETABLE MATTER BY JACOB HOUCK and that “This justly celebrated Panacea may be taken with perfect safety by all ages and in all diseases.” There followed a list a 30 to 40 maladies for which the elixir would provide not just symptomatic relief but an actual cure. Minor discomforts included heart burn, colds, dyspepsia and loss of appetite. Without modesty or uncertainty the list enumerated various life-threatening conditions such as consumption, cholera, whooping cough, influenza, palsy, mercurial and venereal diseases.
In 1833 Houck sought a patent for his elixir. The application caught the eye of a writer for the Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. The Franklin Institute in 1833 (and today) was “devoted to the mechanical arts, general science the recording of American and other patented inventions.” After he reviewed the legion of maladies for which the Panacea could provide a cure the writer, with tongue in cheek, bemoaned the absence of Intemperance. When the recipe for the Panacea was examined the reason for the omission appeared. The Panacea required only 5 ingredients. Here they are, in proper proportions:
Coins are Neato!
"If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone...somewhere...is making a penny." - Steven Wright
Is that someone's name or did they lose the Y punch?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
Those in Connecticut and NY know the Mianus exit well.
I literally used to live next to the exit before I moved out here to Colorado about 30 years ago.
Side note: It's pronounced My-Ann-Us for those who don't know lol
Coins are Neato!
"If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone...somewhere...is making a penny." - Steven Wright
Some I have accumulated. The Guatemala cob 30 dollar junk bin find didn’t know what I had until I did some research to figure out what the counter strike was Guatemala 1st counter strike 2nd 2 mountains 3rd 3 mountains 1860
The moment I saw this thread title I was expecting many Houck's Panacea counterstamped bust halves. I was surprised it took me until the second page to see one!
Young Numismatist
I saw this listing on ebay today and thought of your coin. (It's also a 1922).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/204189460213
It’s an Ottoman “sah” mark, which translates to “It is good”. Here’s another:
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Both your coin and @ZoidMeister's coin are similar in style. My theory is that someone with a punch set had set up at fairs, expositions, carnivals or other tourist attractions and would make these to order for a small fee. Another possibility is someone with a punch set made these for friends and family. There are probably others in existence with other names.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
My Brasher counterstamp, jmo. Probably a brother or son or daughter or sister
I was just gonna ask the same question.
Here's my 1805 8 Reales that looks as if it got chewed by a dog.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/quarters/PCGS-2020-quarter-quest/album/247091
A few of my favorites
How about both?
Lovely!
Lafayette Grading Set
My grandfathers name was Joseph Myers Pierce and when I saw this, I had to have it. He was born in 1871.
This one was of interest to me because it shares the same first initial and last name as mine. Even the middle initial is only off by one letter. J.C. Roy was apparently a home builder in Columbia, SC.
One of my counterstamps:
BHNC #203
Not mine, but I am still looking for one:
BHNC #203
A very special counterstamp representing the earliest numismatic work of the great Boston die sinker, Joseph H. Merriam:
I was privileged to acquire this unique piece a few years back from David Schenkman, who had it in his own collection for over 40 years.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
This is a rare Puerto Rico c/m, btw
Here's one from a junk bin
These a few of mine
I really enjoy collecting anything around the mid 1800s especially the Civil War era. Sorry for the poor quality pictures but didn't really want to take the coins out of the 2x2s.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
This group of four Large Cents was purchased off eBay a couple weeks ago and arrived in my PO Box the Monday before Christmas. A fun bunch and totally original with plenty of dirt and grime.
1.) 1856 Large Cent with O.E.P. - I believe this style is similar to what PerryHall described and were likely personalized cent souvenirs with the initials of the customer for a small fee.
2.) 1849 Large Cent with JACKSON & CO - Can't find any info or listing of this counterstamp.
3.) 1848 Large Cent with OIL / OF / ICE - A well known counterstamp although more often found on other coinage such as Indian Cents and Two Cent Pieces. Less commonly seen on Large Cents. I did see one reference online that stated these were also issued by Goodwin, but have seen no evidence as to such. Love the look and probably my favorite piece of the group.
4.) 1847 Large Cent with USE / G.G.G. / & / G.G.G.G. - Well known counterstamp advertising Goodwin's Grand Greasejuice and Goodwin's Grand Glittering Globules. Attributed to Goodwin of Exiter, New Hampshire. A really fun counterstamp and my favorite of the group. Below it is a bill of advertisement from 1857 in the Library of Congress. A partial transcription...
That I shall be perplexed, full well I know,
To make my meaning and my words both chime;
And in my accustomed prose they both should flow,
Did not Ambition prompt to write in rhyme.
And this Ambition, I would have you know,
Is not to “come the poet” for mere show;
For no such paltry bubble do I try,
But, to induce you to walk up and buy.
Then give me, friends, attention, if you please,
While I to you explain the four great G's,
Which on this bill first meet your wondering eyes,—
I'll quickly tell you what they advertise.
The first great G. means GOODWIN; — that is — ME;
The next is Grand, which you will shortly see
Applies to every thing which I invent.
That this is true, all readily assent.
The fourth initial G. upon my bills,
Signifies GLOBULES, some would call them Pills;
With which, in form, 'tis true they do agree,
But from their nauseous properties are free.
The third great G. (which you before have noted)
Stands there for GLITTERING; — meaning that they shine
With the pure product of the silver mine.
To this, ere long, I will refer again,
Its application fully to explain.
And to continue with humble verses,
(Written to draw the money from your purses;)
These GLOBULES were not meant to save from death,
But merely to correct a foetid breath,
With which mankind (one half at least) are vexed;
The reasons I'll proceed to show you next.