Vote The Land Free Counterstamp On 1853 With Arrows Seated Liberty Quarter

Thank you for your response. I am familiar with the on-line resources. However, most where produced in 1844 with a few outliers produced later. 1853 is 9 years later, quite a gap. Interested in peoples thoughts on authenticity and I guess, if authentic, it may be a unique piece? The only one with this counter stamp on a 1853 Seated Liberty quarter love token?

It was probably produced with a few other coins at the same time (10+ would be my guess). However, it might be one of the only SURVIVING examples.

Welcome to the CCF, living-in-the-past ... Quite an interesting post, this!

From my perspective, counterstamps in general are among the most intriguing and mysterious numismatic items to be had. This posting certainly accentuates my opinion.

While there are known, modern-made fantasy pieces of the VOTE THE LAND FREE c/s, I do believe that this one, on an 1853 quarter, was inflicted by the original stamp. It appears to thoroughly match in size, letter positioning and style.

Unlike the case with 99.99% of counterstamps, the original die punch still exists. Thus, it's certainly plausible that this quarter could have been stamped anytime, from 1853 on. It's not inconceivable that someone could have later demonstrated or simply tested the use of this die upon the 1853 quarter, years after the original intent of the slogan. Then too, one of Lincoln's 1860 political slogans had to do with "free soil", and perhaps someone back then thought to resurrect and re-purpose the counterstamp? The mind reels ... When I first heard about the existence of this original die punch, I hoped that someone would slightly alter it so as to make its being susequently used in some stealth fashion far less likely.

There are cases of counterstamps that were applied to coins years after the original merchant died. This is not unusual but not a common occurrence, either. Such was the case with a few silversmiths, whose hallmark dies were likely passed along to their heirs.

IMHO ... This piece is authentic and the c/s and the engraving likely date to the nineteenth century. It's my guess that the counterstamp preceded the engraving. The metal flow from the hole and numerous pock marks cause me to suspect that to be the case. Also, the engraving likely obliterated the damage done to that side of the coin when the stamp was applied.

As to worth, it's anybody's guess. On the plus side, host coins that are atypical, even those with relatively common counterstamps, tend to command a premium. Those on early bust coins tend to be most desired and be more highly valued by collectors. A few years ago, I saw a counterstamped, common date, Liberty nickel with a cutlery mark sell for well over $700. In my estimation, it was worth maybe $100, tops. When two folks seriously want a numismatic item, auction prices can skyrocket.

This coin is doubly intriguing, as it boasts both a love token and a desirable counterstamp. The only negative I see is that the counterstamp is not the proper political vintage. Personally, I'd guesstimate a worth of $300 which is about double the price of what this slogan fetches on large cents. Then too, a serious collector of love tokens might drive the price up further.

I'll offer an across-the-board comment on rarity. IMHO, all early counterstamps are rare, relatively speaking. There are many thousands of unique, one-of-a-kind, counterstamped pieces out there. There are many reasons why this is the case. To me, that is a small yet appealing aspect of collecting counterstamps ... having a piece that is the only one known.

Q. David Bowers has written that these "VOTE THE LAND FREE" counterstamp pieces were not connected with Martin Van Buren's 1848 third party run for the presidency. He believes that these were issued as part of the agenda for the National Reform Association (NRA). This movement was composed of a coalition of 19th century radical groups, which included the Working Man's Party, the National Trades Union and the Locofoco wing of the Democratic Party.

Their goal was to break up large estates and have public lands given to the people. Hence the slogan, "VOTE THE LAND FREE." Their ideas did get some play from the major parties. During the Lincoln administration, the Homestead Act was passed and signed into law. In exchange for working the land (165 acres) for a specified number of years, homesteaders won the title to it. The trouble was a lot of people found it to be tough going, and many of them were not able to stick it out.

The trouble with the 1853 quarter which is the host coin for this counterstamp is the date. I can't find any references where pieces were counterstamped that late. According to Rulau, all of the know pieces were dated in the mid 1840s. I'm not saying that this piece is a fabrication; I'm just saying that it needs more research.

Here is the piece that is in my collection, the usual counterstamped large cent. I bought this when it was thought that these pieces were issued on behalf of the 1848 Van Buren campaign.

Here is another 1860 campaign Lincoln piece that refers to "free homes for free men." I have pretty large collection of Lincoln tokens.

Welcome to the CCF, VTLF ... Vote The Land Free, indeed!

You've made some interesting and thoughtful commentary about this piece. There may well be a connection between the OP's coin and the KHS. Perhaps, a footprint could be found among the paperwork at the KHS. It's a longshot, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.




IMHO, this statement is a non sequitur. Love tokens were made as tokens of affection, regardless of gender. One piece that I had many years ago was presented to a grandfather by his grandson, and the words "Love Token" were actually engraved thereon. The host coin was a Liberty Seated Half.

The thought that this piece may have been created as a watch fob is quite plausible. Perhaps, the owner was once involved in the VTLF movement? Perhaps, he once possessed the dies? Whereas worn coins made excellent hosts upon which to apply counterstamps, higher grade coins of the latter nineteenth century often fell victims to the engravers of love tokens.

Unless my eyes fail me, as they sometimes do, the love token initials are B-C-E. ?

As to the "importance" of this piece, that would best be determined by any inroads in research. I surely find it interesting and intriguing, to say the least, but important? Time will tell. For what it's worth, I have but one counterstamp in my own collection that I suspect is perhaps historically important, and that story may never be proven.

Counterstamps on silver coins generally appear to be more prominent, more visible than those on copper coins. As the silver love tokens were keepsakes, there's a strong possibility that this rendering of VTLF on a holed, silver coin was likewise part and parcel of the keepsake.

Regarding placement of the VTLF counterstamps, note that they typically encompass the word LIBERTY on the headband and are generally aligned with the obverse ... but, not always.

While I posted that first pic of an 1860 Lincoln token as having a possible connection to the original intent of the OP's counterstamp, that's simply one of many possibilities. While the heyday of counterstamping was the 1850's, it's quite likely that the OP's coin was stamped decades later.