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'GW' Countermark / Counterstamp - any info / theories on it? PCGS and NGC examples
U1chicago
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I found this coin on GC and thought the combination of a straight grade and "Possible Fantasy" on the holder to be unusual. Has anyone seen that before? I did some searching and discovered that there is no consensus on what the countermark is and when it was done. Some speculate it is a reference to George Washington while it could also be some merchant or just random initials. There are a few different host coins with this mark that have sold over the years and one example was graded by PCGS with the countermark grading details but the coin straight grading.
From a Heritage listing of several examples, the description says:
"The GW mark in a rectangular depression is controversial, with differing opinions about its age and origin."
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I kind of doubt it has anything to do with George Washington personally given it's showing up on coins made long after he died in 1799. I assume it's a contemporary stamp that will never be attributable to anyone.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Unlikely to be a fantasy but not George Washington. Many people had the same initials and it appears on coins dated later than 1799.
Have you tried looking up silversmiths that era to see if any matches? Looks like a stamp they would put on pieces they made.
Very common
"GW Counterstamp" on Stack's archives:
https://archive.stacksbowers.com/?q=b6d02de5-1e56-4cc2-a723-80fa41249271
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
BHNC #AN-10
JRCS #1606
Here is a Stack's description of an 1807 draped bust half dollar:
"Punched almost directly in the center of the host with a small GW mark, in a rectangular cartouche. Believed to be a fantasy issue and found on several different early hosts. These are frequently found in advanced collections, if as nothing beyond a curiosity."
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
BHNC #AN-10
JRCS #1606
There was a similar "RF" counterstamp that for years was suspected to be a forgery of a known but very different-looking "RF" counterstamp. Only in recent years did someone successfully connect it to a particular silversmith.
The "GW" could well be a similar situation.