1857 Flying Eagle 1c W/ D.s. Parker Counterstamp-Uncirculated!

This maverick appears to be the only one listed by Brunk. Parker is a very common name, and Brunk lists many with that surname. My guess is that this was a personal piece as opposed to being a merchant issue, intended to advertise goods or services. Otherwise, more specimens would likely have surfaced by now. This counterstamp was likely applied in 1857-58.

There was a Daniel S. Parker, listed in the 1862 Boston Directory, then working in some capacity at the "F.H. Market" which I believe translates to Faneuil Hall Market. There was a photographer by the name of David S. Parker, working in the Cincinnati and Covington area in 1860. These are but two possibilities. Doing a cursory search of nineteenth century directories and other references, I found a number of listings for "Parker, D.S."

The numismatic value of this piece exceeds the exonumia value. It would be a great coin to have in a type set of U.S. counterstamps. IMHO, the host coin is MS-64 or better.

Apparently, you've not much studied counterstamps. A great many silversmiths, watchmakers and other fine craftsmen used counterstamps with fonts smaller than those on the OP's coin. NGC says it's a counterstamp, and, that surely does appear to be the case.

Here's an even smaller-lettered stamp that was used by Randall H. Cashell. He's listed in the 1807 Philadelphia Directory as a goldsmith and jeweler at 23 North 2nd St. A fine craftsman, he specialized in decorating sword blades and repairing firearms. Considering how early his mark is, note the size and artistry of his design. The host coin is a 1798 large cent ....





Here's another counterstamp, issued by Isaac Schnaitman of Philadelphia in the 1830's. He made the first true bifocals and applied this stamp to his spectacles. The host coin is an 1814 large cent ....

It has definitely been fun to research. The original seller stated he was a dentist from Boston, MA. I have also discovered several Daniel S. Parkers who served the Union army in the civil war. I suppose it will be impossible to directly link it to anyone specifically! I did find one other 1857 that was counterstamped in the same spot with J.A. HARPER. I suppose if I could find those 2 names in close association with one another I could have a more valid argument on who they belong to! The other piece is not mine unfortunately! Thank you all for your opinions! Definitely not modern and I do appreciate how well done this was, the attention to detail really stands out and one of the reasons I had to have it!

That's amazing ExoGuy! I'm glad I know where that J.A. HARPER ended up. Let me know if you happen to see his name come up alongside a D.S. Parker and we can correlate the two as knowing each other and prove who they might have been!!

Here's a P.L. CARPENTER c/s, up on ebay. While the positioning and host coin are the same, there's a use of all cap letters, being somewhat crudely cut ....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1857-PL-CAR...AOSwXYtYwgxi

Thanks for the encouragement, Nickelsearcher. It's taken me many years to attribute some counterstamps and but minutes for others. Hope I live long enough to peg these Parker, Harper & Carpenter pieces, I do!

I have the same 1857 J.A.HARPER Flying Eagle penny. I purchased it at a book store about 45 years ago.