***unbelievably cool toned counterstamped $
SeattleSlammer
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This is just too cool, so I thought I'd share...don't know if it was already posted.....if so, sorry.
I came across it in the CoinRaritiesOnline's archive. These are their pics and description.
The double-toning effect on the obverse is incredible!
The Head of a Fool Stamped on the Neck of an Ass
AU58 [PCGS]
Actually, this is a Great Britain Dollar, ND (c.1797), but we couldn't resist using its slightly more interesting nickname above.
ESC-138; S.3766; KM-656 variety. George III. Octagonal countermark with head of George III on a Mexico 1797-Mo FM 8 Reales.
And a fascinating and historical piece it is -
Facing a desperate shortage of silver coins in 1797, the Bank of England re-issued altered foreign coins from its reserves. Some half a million pounds worth of Charles IV Spanish 'dollars' were counter-stamped with a small engraving of George III. The majority were counterstamped with an oval portrait - a rare few with the octagonal counterstamp illustrated here.
The re-issued coins, with a value of 4 shillings and 9 pence, were ridiculed and scorned. "Two Kings' heads and not worth a crown" was one phrase used to describe them. (A 'crown' in this context meant 5 shillings). A more creative nickname was "The head of a fool stamped on the neck of an ass".
Ultimately, the issue failed when enterprising individuals took to unofficially counterstamping lightweight or base Spanish dollars.
A few years later a more successful issue of dollars was made by the Bank of England. In 1804 Matthew Boulton, the business partner of the steam engine pioneer James Watt, was employed to completely erase the existing design on full-weight Spanish coins and stamp them as Bank of England Five Shilling Dollars.
And thus this interesting, unloved and short-lived issue was no more.
This coin itself is a lovely choice AU, spectacularly and beautifully toned in vibrant golden orange, aubergine and teal on the obverse, sea green and blue on the reverse. The counterstamp itself has toned in the same lovely pattern as the host coin but in miniature, creating a rather remarkable site we haven't encountered before on any coin.
The only fault we can find is a tiny pit in the right obverse field, and a second opposite the counterstamp on the reverse. What appears to be a clip on the left obverse in our photo is actually the edge of the holder overlapping the coin's rim.
In all, an historic, rare and absolutely stunning coin which couldn't be replaced at most any cost.
I came across it in the CoinRaritiesOnline's archive. These are their pics and description.
The double-toning effect on the obverse is incredible!
The Head of a Fool Stamped on the Neck of an Ass
AU58 [PCGS]
Actually, this is a Great Britain Dollar, ND (c.1797), but we couldn't resist using its slightly more interesting nickname above.
ESC-138; S.3766; KM-656 variety. George III. Octagonal countermark with head of George III on a Mexico 1797-Mo FM 8 Reales.
And a fascinating and historical piece it is -
Facing a desperate shortage of silver coins in 1797, the Bank of England re-issued altered foreign coins from its reserves. Some half a million pounds worth of Charles IV Spanish 'dollars' were counter-stamped with a small engraving of George III. The majority were counterstamped with an oval portrait - a rare few with the octagonal counterstamp illustrated here.
The re-issued coins, with a value of 4 shillings and 9 pence, were ridiculed and scorned. "Two Kings' heads and not worth a crown" was one phrase used to describe them. (A 'crown' in this context meant 5 shillings). A more creative nickname was "The head of a fool stamped on the neck of an ass".
Ultimately, the issue failed when enterprising individuals took to unofficially counterstamping lightweight or base Spanish dollars.
A few years later a more successful issue of dollars was made by the Bank of England. In 1804 Matthew Boulton, the business partner of the steam engine pioneer James Watt, was employed to completely erase the existing design on full-weight Spanish coins and stamp them as Bank of England Five Shilling Dollars.
And thus this interesting, unloved and short-lived issue was no more.
This coin itself is a lovely choice AU, spectacularly and beautifully toned in vibrant golden orange, aubergine and teal on the obverse, sea green and blue on the reverse. The counterstamp itself has toned in the same lovely pattern as the host coin but in miniature, creating a rather remarkable site we haven't encountered before on any coin.
The only fault we can find is a tiny pit in the right obverse field, and a second opposite the counterstamp on the reverse. What appears to be a clip on the left obverse in our photo is actually the edge of the holder overlapping the coin's rim.
In all, an historic, rare and absolutely stunning coin which couldn't be replaced at most any cost.
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Comments
"To make the dollar of Spain for five shillings pass
Stamp the head of a fool on the neck of an ass."
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."----Voltaire
U.S. Type Set
NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!!
working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
RIP "BEAR"