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 Replies: 9 / Views: 731 |
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Valued Member
United States
275 Posts |
Hey there, Not really sure if this is the right place but I'm going through my friends late fathers coin collection & found this. It appears to be a tag of sorts. has anyone seen this before?    |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
It's a counterstamp, pretty much reduces the coin to just a curiosity.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2759 Posts |
It's an academic question at this point, but the feather design here was used through 1886. Since it isn't copper nickel, and the last number is a 3, it must be either 1873 or 1883. As Coinfrog stated though, only
worth a buck or two to the right person.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4421 Posts |
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. Quote:
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?  Edited by ExoGuy
05/31/2023 08:21 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4233 Posts |
I also noted the ethnic implications and it seems very odd. Why would they not put a Star of David on it instead? Why would they tag themselves as "Jew"? I know that Zionism was gaining prominence in the very late 1800s so maybe someone knows if there's a historical connection to a counterstamp like this. I also observe that the E is quite a bit larger than the J and W so they didn't put much effort into using the same sized punches. Perhaps it's merely someone's initials after all.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4421 Posts |
Quote:
Perhaps it's merely someone's initials after all. I'm not quick to dismiss that possibility. Primitive and awkward as the stamping is, someone put serious effort into creating this curious item; this, what with the surface planing and drilling of a tiny, neat hole. Had it been a professional job, performed by a jeweler/engraver, the stamping would have been more precise with matched letters. While I relish the challenge of trying to identify c/s's, pieces like this typically defy attribution. That said, I still enjoy pondering the puzzle of mavericks like this one .... Might this have been made as a gag gift?   Edited by ExoGuy
05/31/2023 2:47 pm
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Moderator
 United States
98403 Posts |
it could have been part of a neckless or charm bracelet
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2286 Posts |
It's 1883 if anyone was wondering.
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Valued Member
 United States
275 Posts |
Thanks everybody! We also had all these thoughts. very interesting. It seems that jew is an interesting choice. I agree about the star of david. My friend was kind of taken aback because her dad was in the military, and he has an interesting collection. regarding the c/s, I guess we will never know.. or will we?! There is someone. ugh who's name I can't think of, that has a lot of counter stamp knowledge ?! I wonder if this was a "fad" of sorts in the 1800's!!
@ NumismaticsFTW I thought for sure it was 1873 lol, but so hard to tell!
Edited by Ondiwave
06/01/2023 9:47 pm
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Valued Member
United States
275 Posts |
oh!! I remember, its @chafemasterj . but I think his interest is Lincoln's.
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Replies: 9 / Views: 731 |
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Posted 05/28/2023 08:33 am
