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ExoGuy's Last 20 Posts
Looks Like Some Buyer Will Get Stung On This Alleged Csa Dog Tag On An Alleged 1862-S Half Dollar
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4341 Posts |
Posted 03/30/2025 11:39 am
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Quote: It would have taken until the 1880's for an 1862 quarter to get this amount of wear.
The so-called "wear" on these die-struck fakes is a telling aspect, given the identical appearance to all others; this, regardless of the rebel's name. BTW, this particular piece is more likely half dollar-sized as are most and not a quarter.
Note that the seller lacks mentioning the coin's denomination, thereby leaving it to the buyer's imagination. As such, presumptive buyers may think the seller doesn't know what he really has. Ironically, the opposite is true, and the bidders lack the knowledge needed. The seller plays dumb.
The price realized for this fake was $560 plus postage. Scores like this encourage more unscrupulous listings. Let's see if this seller posts more ..... 
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| Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins |
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Looks Like Some Buyer Will Get Stung On This Alleged Csa Dog Tag On An Alleged 1862-S Half Dollar
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4341 Posts |
Posted 03/26/2025 10:30 am
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This piece and many like it, bearing the names of actual Civil War vets, began surfacing at flea markets about thirty years ago. While the names and ID info look to have been engraved, they were stamped on artificially-worn disks that resemble coins; typically, Liberty Seated halves and dollars.
A book on these so-called Pender Disks was written some years ago. The CSA, really the CS, never issued these identification disks, a.k.a. "dog tags."
376093043576
Yesterday, I wrote to the seller about this bogus listing. Not surprisingly, he hasn't responded.
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| Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins |
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1802 Lrg Cent W/Unknown Merchant Name
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4341 Posts |
Posted 03/18/2025 2:32 pm
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Quote: Sincere thanks for your efforts to ID this c/s.
Happy to have a go at it, I am. I've been seriously doing these searches for over twenty years now. Of the many c/s's I've been able to positively solve, some took but minutes and others took over a decade.
New resources are constantly appearing online. I've actually been able to solve a few pieces by using ebay; this, by finding some early product, be it a tool, spoon, early photo frame, etc. that bears a matching stamp. Oftentimes, I've then purchased the "stamp-mate." One such purchase was a pewter coffee pot with a matching 1862 patent date.
Perserverence pays, so keep at it! I suspect that this apparently uncommon stamping helps your odds of eventually making an attribution. Good luck, Rod  |
| Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins |
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1802 Lrg Cent W/Unknown Merchant Name
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4341 Posts |
Posted 03/18/2025 08:08 am
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Well, I ran a number of searches on both name possibilities. Most of my searches were done using early directory and patent texts.
I found nothing on Waltmayer. The only prospective hit I found was a W. Altmayer listed as a tailor in an 1860 St. Louis directory. If this was the guy, like many a merchant back then, he likely belonged to some fraternal group, wherein he could network and build a customer base.
Since no other examples of this c/s have as yet surfaced, the subject piece may have been a personal, fraternal badge of sorts to flash at fellow or prospective masons? The mystery remains .... |
| Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins |
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1802 Lrg Cent W/Unknown Merchant Name
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4341 Posts |
Posted 03/06/2025 11:14 pm
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Quote: Just a quick thought. Could it be "W. Altmayer"?
@ fortcollins .... Yes, this possibility occurred to me while I was searching for Waltmayer. Google search asked me if I meant Altmayer which does appear to be a more common surname than Waltmayer.
I've been busy and preoccupied with tax prep and other coin stuff this week. I'll try and dig deeper on this c/s search next week.  |
| Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins |
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A Prize Coin. An 1852? Dime That Was Apparently Repurposed In 1864
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4341 Posts |
Posted 03/06/2025 11:07 pm
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Quote: You just have to relentless in digging and then digging some more.
So true, JP .... Some attributions have taken me over a decade to eventually solve. Over the years, I've learned to be more picky when it comes to buying c/s's. I endeavor to buy ones that offer clues to enable a solution to the puzzle. Sometimes, the style and/or size of the font will point me in the right direction. Other times, it's the issuer's initials or lack thereof. Pieces with multiple stamps, different names, can be helpful. Of course, the town and/or street names help, too; this, as do occupational stampings.
Quote: Get ahold of a postal stamp cover collector .....
I have a good friend who's a semi-retired dealer in this area, and I have collected the Civil War era covers for years. I'm unclear as to how this might connect to the counterstamp?
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| Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins |
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A Pair Of Counterstamped Coppers - Early Boston Silversmith
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4341 Posts |
Posted 02/16/2025 09:54 am
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to the CCF, Draac ....
Cool acquisition! My database cites fewer than 10 specimens known, the latest of which is dated 1807. All examples I've seen exist on well-worn large cents, of which I have three in my collection. Now, you may want to see if you can acquire one of Nathaniel's silver spoons, perhaps?
Happy hunting! |
| Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins |
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A Prize Coin. An 1852? Dime That Was Apparently Repurposed In 1864
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4341 Posts |
Posted 01/30/2025 4:03 pm
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Quote: It's an 1842. 1852 Seated dimes were only struck in New Orleans.
@BH1964 .... Wrong. Over 1.5 million dimes were struck at the Philly Mint in 1852.
The dates on the 1842 dimes tend to be smaller numerals, so this dime is either 1852 or 1862, methinks.
@Spence .... Thanks for the leads! I'll look into them.
@jpsned .... Sometimes one clue leads to another. If I can check out newspapers in suspected areas, I might run across something re EUCHRE.
One of my best c/s attribution efforts took me all of ten years, I have two early large cents thatsimply have multiple L. TEMPLE c/s's on them. I found two guys by that name in early directories, Levi Temple of Maine and Lewis Temple of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Both were blacksmiths - a mundane occupation. Neither had a middle initial, so clues were lacking.
Upon investigating them both, Lewis was the more likely issuer. He manufactured harpoons. He won a prize at a Boston exhibition in the 1840's. Interestingly, Lewis was an escaped slave and active in the A.A.S.S. - American Anti-Slavery Society. He attended church with Frederick Douglass.
The only way I could positively attribute the c/s's to Lewis would be to find a matching stamp on one of his toggle-head harpoons. He made many hundreds, if not thousands of harpoons. A single ship would take a few hundred or more of them on a hunt, costing $1 apiece. It's doubtful that Lewis took the time and effort to stamp them all.
Over the years, I tried to lacate a stamped harpoon. Upon finally locating one in a museum, they provided me with close-up pics, AND the coin/harpoon name stamps positively match by font and size-wise. It was a long but rewarding journey.
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| Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins |
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A Prize Coin. An 1852? Dime That Was Apparently Repurposed In 1864
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4341 Posts |
Posted 01/28/2025 5:25 pm
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Coins have long been counterstamped for a great many reasons. This uniquely stamped dime was likely presented to a lady who won at the euchre (card game) table in August of 1864. It was created with individual letter and numeral punches; this, as opposed to a single application by a manufactured die.
The legend reads: ELLEN M. MORSE / AUGUST !864 / EUCHRE


In effect, this piece constitutes a love token that were typically engraved to acknowledge meaningful thoughts toward another person. The hole was likely created so the dime could be worn as adornment on a barcelet, necklace or brooch.
Two questions: 1) Do you think the date is 1852? 2) Can anyone trace the whereabouts of Ellen M. Morse? |
| Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins |
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References For Pricing Civil War And Hard Times Tokens
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4341 Posts |
Posted 01/12/2025 11:23 am
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to the CCF !!
Over 20 years ago now, Kanzinger published a price guide. There's been no update since; this, as Kanzinger died. Given that there are so many CWT varieties, over 10k, and other variables, this was a tremendous undertaking.
Steve Hayden is the top dealer in CWT's and other early exonumia. That said, his auctions bring top dollar, as he draws top end buyers with deep pockets. Heritage and Stack's archives are good resources to consult for comp valuations. Of course, one can always track item sales on ebay. Also, Richard's Token Database lists many CWT's and is a fine resource.
I highly recommend joining the Civil War Token Society. Their quarterly journal has much to offer collectors .... periodic auctions, informative articles, classified ads, dealer ads and more.
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| Forum: Tokens, Medals, Challenge Coins, and other Exonumia |
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