Official "Post A Counterstamp" Thread....

I have several "Counter Stamps" that I'd like to share on this thread

You'll understand why I put it in quotation marks when you see them. Just think they are pretty cool and worth a share.

http://goccf.com/t/303507&whichpage=58

PAGES 58 AND 59... Thanks!

Hey ExoGuy, really cool newer? avatar. I haven't been on for some time so just saw it. Is there a story behind it?

Beyond being a religious and fraternal brotherhood, the masons consisted of many skilled craftsmen who worked together and helped brothers hone their skills. There were huge, rapidly growing numbers of metal workers who became masons during the nineteenth century. Machinists, many of whom emigrated from Europe, were then building and inventing all manner of metal goods.

The masonic symbols, stamped on coins, were used as calling cards of sorts for one mason to share with another, a means of introduction. Traveling masons might flash their coin on a boat or train as a means of establishing comradery with a stranger. A masonic-stamped coin might be presented to a new member as a token of brotherhood. Masons took much pride in their community, their lifestyle and their work. In time, many masonic orders issued their own tokens, upon which member names could be stamped, linking the holder to a particular chapter.

It's important to understand that the date of a host coin doesn't necessarily coincide with the year the coin was stamped. Indeed, many of those who stamped coins often preferred worn host coins; this, as the stamp would be more prominent.

Here's one of my favorite masonic counterstamps, hosted on an 1853 quarter. The name of the masonic owner is artfully displayed, and it well illustrates the intent of such pieces. Following the ic, I've added my database notes on the issuer, Charles A. Spear ....



THE DAVISTOWN MUSEUM IN MAINE HAS A PLANE MADE BY SPEAR THAT ALSO HAS A MASONIC SYMBOL STAMPED THEREON. THESE RAZEE PLANES WERE USED BY SHIPBUILDERS. ONE CHARLES SPEAR WAS A CORPORAL IN John Gardner'S INFANTRY IN 1839, PROTECTING THE NORTHEASTERN FRONTIER OF MAINE. THIS MAY WELL BE ONE CHARLES ADRIAN SPEAR WHO MARRIED HARRIET MURDOCK IN HALLOWELL, MAINE IN 1856. BORN 1831, CHARLES A. SPEAR WAS FROM GARDINER, AND HE DIED IN 1886 IN SOMMERVILLE, MASS. HE APPEARS IN THE 1881 SOMMERVILLE DIRECTORY AS A GAS FITTER. CHARLES WAS A METAL WORKER, AND THE EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT THIS C/S'D COIN WAS HIS CALLING CARD.

@ExoGuy... That is the best explanation I've heard to date. Thank you for your insight. Makes sense. I have many that are not a match to each other and a few that I would say were struck by the same stamp though they were acquired at different times and from different sources. It's fun to compare them to each other trying to find a match.

Many Civil War token dies were shared by contemporary die sinkers. So, it's logical to assume that metal stamps were likewise shared by fellow masons. The pseudo-hallmarks of silversmiths (eagles, animals, objects, etc.) are somewhat akin to the masonic symbols in that they were also augmentations, added to "flavor" the name/initials of the issuer, the maker, by attracting attention. Early American silver products were often then viewed as being inferior in style and quality to European counterparts. The use of touchmarks constituted something of a snub to those who ostentatiously touted the superiority of European silverware.

Here's an 1818 cent that illustrates a silversmith's touchmarks or pseudo-hallmarks. I've yet to ID the maker of these. Someday, I hope to encounter this mark on a silver spoon ....

You are welcome.


I wish you luck on the quest!

I am by far no expert. Someone here will set me straight if I am mistaken.
If the coin is silver, which I believe it to be:

https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces5505.html

It's what is called a chopmark.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chop_...20Far%20East

to the CCF, Enkisama

I love the puzzles that American counterstamps present, but the oriental chopmarks are far beyond my abilities. I've yet to meet any of the experts on these.

About a year ago, I had occasion to sit down with the wife of a dealer-friend and show her a multi-chopmarked U.S. Trade dollar. She was born in Wuhan, China. She'd never seen the like of the coin and was quite intrigued by it. Sadly, she was unable to identify any of the marks or the history. She did say that they appeared to be the marks of unknown merchant families.

Good luck with your quest, Enkisama .....