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ExoGuy's Last 20 Posts
| 18?3 Indian Penny Tag?
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
 Posted 05/31/2023 08:16 am
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Given the absence of stops or periods, following the letters, I'm inclined to believe that this creation was for ethnic intent; this, as opposed to someone's initials. It may have once been a watch fob or ornament, perhaps? Why else would someone have gone to the trouble of plaining the coin's reverse?
I concur with Robbudo's estimation of value, being a few bucks.
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It's a counterstamp, pretty much reduces the coin to just a curiosity.
I'd note that counterstamps very often enhance, rather than reduce the value of host coins, tokens and banknotes. I'd point out, in this case, absent the counterstamp, a holed Indian cent with a plained-down reverse, would be worth far less than a few bucks .... The JEW c/s makes it a somewhat appealing curiosity, eh what?  |
| | Forum: US Classic and Colonial Variety and Error Coins |
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| 1840-O Liberty Seated Half . A Variety, An Error Or Both?
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
Posted 05/08/2023 6:24 pm
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Thanks, kbbpll .... Looks like you nailed it! I did assume it was a late die state. I should've asked that, considering the minting process as a whole, if the pressman continues to utilize a grossly damaged die, would that constitute a striking error?
I personally don't recall ever seeing such a damaged die being used to strike a coin before.Was this damage the consequence of clashing dies or maybe simply faulted metal in the reverse die? |
| | Forum: US Classic and Colonial Variety and Error Coins |
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| Thoughts On Nic-A-Date?
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
Posted 04/30/2023 9:27 pm
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A collector buddy of mine for over forty years recently wrote to ask my opinion about using nic-a-date to improve a dateless 1916/16 nickel he discovered. After spotting the doubled feather he took it to a major dealer who said he'd buy it if acid raised the date. Others had told him to leave it alone. I sided with the dealer because the resulting visual effect would be more appealing than the simple diagnostic. After some agonizing over what to do, my buddy did the deed. The dealer gave him $300 for it. Happy ending! 
The 1916/16 is a rare find. IMHO, most collectors who assemble acid treated Buff sets do it more for the fun and the challenge. It's more a labor of love than a profitable venture. |
| | Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins |
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| One Dollar 1795, In Bad Condition. Is It Worth Buying?
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
Posted 04/17/2023 3:36 pm
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I'm in the genuine camp and think it's a good buy at that asking price. Also, it's a great candidate for the repair shop! If only it had some more damage, like a counterstamp or two, I'd buy it!!
My guess is that this dollar was once utilized as a watch fob or jewelry item. The position of the damage suggests that a clasp or other attachment may have later been removed so as to restore its coin status for circulation. |
| | Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins |
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| An 1807 Draped Bust Half With Some Interesting History Attached To It
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
Posted 04/13/2023 10:47 am
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Exoguy, have you ever found an actual punch used in the counterstamping of one of your older coins?
No, I've not. The only surviving early punch I've ever seen is a VOTE THE LAND FREE punch, circa 1844, that's in the possession of the Kansas Historical Society. To my knowledge, none of the c/s authors and serious collectors have ever reported seeing same, either; this, other than the Kansas item.
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| | Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins |
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| An 1807 Draped Bust Half With Some Interesting History Attached To It
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
Posted 04/12/2023 2:09 pm
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| It appears Seril was a half-brother to Nehemiah. Their father's (also named Nehemiah) first wife died, and his second wife bore two children, one of whom was Seril. When researching counterstamps, I very often run into conflicting, confusing and incorrect data. So, I consult multiple sources whenever possible. That said, I rarely look into family history and try to stay focused on the stamp and the issuer, |
| | Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins |
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| An 1807 Draped Bust Half With Some Interesting History Attached To It
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
Posted 04/12/2023 12:08 pm
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Thanks for the great feedback and encouraging words!
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If I end up with a collection of counter stamped coins some day, it will be your fault.
Fault? .... To my credit would be more likely!  .gif" class="inlineimg" alt="" title="" />
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How do we know this didn't belong to Noah Dodge, or Nancy Dodge?
LOL, did it come with some sort of provenance?
I was hoping someone would ask this important question!
All too often, many counterstamps have been misattributed. Wishful thinking and faulty research by many contributors caused authors Brunk and Rulau to recant and amend many of their counterstamp listings. Auction houses, TPG'ers and eBay sellers often misattribute counterstamps, as well.
The counterstamps of silversmiths, gunsmiths, cutlers, toolmakers, photographers and a host of other professions can be most assuredly attributed by matching the coin stamp to that on one of their products.
One of my most often utilized resources for silversmiths, jewelers and watchmakers is the American Silversmiths website. Here's a link to their posting on Nehemiah Dodge. Note that the known stamp for Nehemiah matches that on the coin: https://www.americansilversmiths.or...s/158349.htm |
| | Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins |
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| An 1807 Draped Bust Half With Some Interesting History Attached To It
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
Posted 04/11/2023 1:14 pm
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Acquiring a previously unknown counterstamp is always exciting, yet when one such piece has an important historical backstory, the excitement for this collector doubles. Such was the case when, some months ago, the below-pictured N+DODGE hallmark was acquired in an online auction. This is the mark of Nehemiah Dodge, a Providence, Rhode Island silversmith and jeweler.
Nehemiah, 1774-1856, is an honoree in the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. He is credited with being America's first "manufacturing jeweler" and "founder of the costume jewelry industry." Nehemiah developed a process to plate base metals with gold and silver. It's believed that the process was developed in 1794, when Nehemiah's shop was located on Main Street in Providence.
Jabez Gorham was later an apprentice silversmith to master, Nehemiah; this, between 1807 and 1812. Jabez (and family) later became a world leader in the production of silverware and, like his master, became an honoree in the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.
Below appears a portrait of Nehemiah Dodge. This is a cropped image of the work, painted by an unknown American artist. He lived to the ripe old age of 81 years, passing in 1856. Thus, he got to witness the growth of Providence's into a great manufacturing center that produced affordable costume jewelry pieces for the masses.
Regarding the counterstamp .
Unlike many a silversmith counterstamp, this singular hallmark was strategically placed within the reverse shield. Given this aspect, in conjunction with the added hole, it's most likely that this was, in effect, a personalized creation. That said, it wasn't a piece to be worn, otherwise the hole would be centered above the hallmark, punched through the "E" in STATES. This writer's guess is that this half dollar may once have served as a fob, attached by chain to a watch.
Might this couterstamped keepsake have been Nehemiah's personal "card" or might he have have created it for Jabez Gorham? Note that the date of the coin, 1807, is when Jabez began working for his master, Nehemiah. Counterstamped coins always carry secrets to be told. We now know some of them, being the who, what, when and where about this piece. Yet, the why remains a mystery. There's always more to be learned, isn't there?
Speaking of learning, can one of you Bustie lovers please tell me the Overton variety?
BTW ....Hi, Randy!  |
| | Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coins |
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| 1863 Crossed Cannons Civil War Token Beauty
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
Posted 04/09/2023 1:51 pm
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I concur with the AU-58 grade for this typical sharp strike. Also, the verdigris issue should be addressed for conservation of this otherwise attractive piece.
I'd NOT submit a piece like this to NGC. IMHO, that'd be money down the drain. This is a very common CWT variety. Tokens like this in NGC holders, graded MS-63 or less, can be gotten at shows for under $80 apiece. I bought a few as such, last month.
Regarding that so-called NGC MS-66 CWT being peddled for $300, IMHO it's over-graded. I'm no fan of NGC. I've seen far too many of their slabbing "errors" over my many years of collecting tokens. Buy the coin/token, NOT the slab!  |
| | Forum: Tokens, Medals, Challenge Coins, and other Exonumia |
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| Storecard Love Token - S. B. Underill Carriage Maker Chenango Forks NY On An 1856 Seated Half Dollar
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ExoGuy
Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
Posted 03/19/2023 8:27 pm
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This is a cool piece, being quite ornate and artfully executed. It's fully attributed, giving the name, location and occupation to boot. They don't get much better than this. The host coin is pleasing, as well. Half dollar hosts are less common than the lower denominations. Typically, pieces like this were presented as gifts, and this piece may have served as a watch fob; prior to being plugged, that is.
Samuel B. Underhill appeared in the 1867 NY State Business Directory as a carriage maker and wheelwright. In 1877, he was elected President of Kelly's Lamp Works in Rochester. This company produced lamps for carriages. He was in the carriage business with one Theodore B. Osborne at 192 Fulton Street in Brooklyn in 1880.
Here's a link that illustrates one of Samuel's lamps: https://www.proxibid.com/Art-Antiqu...ion/49013984
My guess is that this love token dates into the 1870's or 80's; this, given but moderate wear on the obverse of the 1856 half. More info on Samuel can likely be found in contemporary newspapers. Here's a great NY newspaper website that's FREE: https://www.fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html |
| | Forum: Tokens, Medals, Challenge Coins, and other Exonumia |
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