For over two decades now, I've been working toward completing date sets of
Two Cent Pieces, Large Cents and
Indian cents. My initial thought was finding projects that would carry me into retirement. Well, that certainly proved to be the case and then some!
I reached my first milestone a few months ago, having acquired the 1864 small motto variety, being the last hole in the set. Most of the counterstamps are attributed as to who issued the stamp. These stamped coins tell us something of their travels and offer clues as to their purpose. Note that the "1873" is not actually dated that year. The actual date was over-stamped with "73" for reasons unknown.
These counterstamped coins aren't pretty, but they do tell us about the times, the history, 1864-80's.
W. EDSON - I suspect that this was the stamp of William Edson, a solicitor of patents, located in Boston from 1868 into the 1870's.
E.R. MAYNARD - Edward R. Maynard of Washington was a dental surgeon and a gunsmith. He patented the Maynard Primer and a breach loading rifle. Given the numerous times that he stamped both the obverse and reverse of this 1864 coin, he was likely testing the durability of his stamp!
J. ZETTLER / NEW YORK - John Zettler was a gunsmith who served as an artificer in the NY Third Infantry. After the Civil War, he operated a shooting gallery on Bowery Street in NY City.
G.F. TOWNE - One George F. Towne is listed in the 1873 Boston directory as a conductor on the Fitchburg Railroad. He is a possible issuer. Perhaps, he was trying to patent an item at some time or else had trained as a machinist? Unless further evidence surfaces, this will remain a maverick ... issuer unknown.
TREMONT HOUSE / 15 - There were many hotels by this name. There was one in Chicago that issued encased postage stamps, during the Civil War. It burned down in the great fire of 1871. Note that the issuer took the time and effort to plane down the coin's reverse, denomination side.
H. WETTSTEIN - Hermann Wettstein was a jeweler who sold clocks and watches. He also held a few patents. Born in Germany in 1840, he settled in Harvard, Illinois. He was a prolific stamper of coins.
D.D. KNAPP / WAVERLY, N.Y. / 10 - David D. Knapp is listed in the 1887-88 Tioga County Gazetteer as a jeweler, engraver and optometrist. He specialized in pocket watches. Note that Knapp took time to individually stamp each letter, as opposed to this being a prepared, single punch issue.
BONNEY - This may be the mark of Bonney Vise & Tool Works of Philadelphia and Allentown. Between 1886-1910, the company manufactured vises, augers, wrenches and machinist tools.
BRAZER - This one is a maverick, barring any new clues.
F. Schimann / W. Dale - One Frank Schimann, no middle initial, appears in the 1887 Cleveland, Ohio City Directory. He was a blacksmith, located at 1110 Clark St. There is no listing therein for W. Dale. The Schimann surname is a rare one.
FARREL HERRIN(G) / 1876 / 73 - Farrel Herring were makers of fireproof safes. Based in Philadelphia, they exhibited at the Centennial Fair in 1876. This coin may well have been stamped in memory of that exhibit. John Farrel held a number of patents on safes.
Above is the holder that now houses the set ... As for the sets of cents, I'm still seeking a counterstamped 1799 and a 1909-S !!
Posted 11/18/2015 3:15 pm
...incredible collection, brocephus !
