Do The Counterstamped Lincoln Cents Fall Under The Exonumia Category Or...

They are still legal tender and legitimate coins, but I understand the distinction you are making.

An interesting discussion I would like to see play out.

Considering most are resold as novelty sets, then "novelty" fits. Any coin put together as a set, (i.e. "wild west" IH, BUFF NICK) by individual person or company for resale are considered "exonomuia" but are in deed "novelty" items per se. Really isn't a distinction of the two terms, both resold, both as "packaged" coins, only main difference in this case is meant for original circulation or not. I don't think the stamped cents were made to be bank dumped!

Then take "exonumia", just how much or little does it encompass....circulated, uncirculated, theme products, hummm, might we not also extend these items to Mint and Proof set packs? Oh my JBuck, do we have a problem!

It is a Coin and the counterstamp does not change that.

Exonumics is an entirely different category. Primarily considered items of provisional, personal, or business production that USUALLY has no governmental approval to serve as coin of the realm.

Exceptions to this that truly do straddle the line include state issued sales tax tokens primarily used in the 1930's and 1940's that WERE used to purchase product; prison tokens issued for state institutions; and transportation tokens issued by a provisional authority that was in place of coins of the realm.

There are others, but this illustrates some distinctions between the two.

C/s cents, or any other denomination, are still coins.

Personally, I'd like to see exonumia sorted by era: modern (1951-present); early 20th century (1900-1950). As for the pre-1900, sub-categories could be along Rulau's lines: Gay 90's Era; Trade Era (1866-89); Civil War Era (generally 1861-64); Merchant Era (1845-60); Hard Times Era (1832-44); Early American Era (generally 1700's-1831). This would help folks learn to relate, identify and better attribute tokens in general, methinks.

As unknown tokens become attributed, they could then be moved to the appropriate category. If someone knows the era of a token, they could initially post it under that era.

If a collector has any preference, say Civil War tokens, they could then peruse that category without having to wade through all the modern stuff.

Note that counterstamped coins are listed as tokens by many major exonumia authors, including Rulau, Brunk, Fuld and more. This has been the case for many decades now. The National Token Collectors Association and other exonumia organizations have long included counterstamps in their fare.

One major author and exonumia dealer,Rich Hartzog, has long argued that once a coin is counterstamped, it becomes a token and is no longer a coin.

I don't buy into Hartzog's reasoning; principally because a counterstamp never nullified a coin's specie or face value. I don't accept the claim that counterstamps are not tokens, either. Many counterstamps were produced to advertise businesses, be used as checks, personal pieces and more; this, over-riding their use as simple currency. I say they're both, coins and tokens, a crossover, if you will.

Here are two counterstamped coins that illustrate a point I'd make. Both were stamped by a gunsmith, Joshua Yous of Greencastle, PA, circa 1850's.





The above 1793 cent would fetch many hundreds of dollars at auction. Likely, a coin collector would be the highest bidder for this "filler" coin; this, as the J.YOUS counterstamps are more readily obtainable on lower valued coins. The 1801 cent is perhaps worth $25 in fair condition, but the gunsmith counterstamp elevates its value three-fold or more to a token collector, given the desirable gunsmith mark. This is why I'm of the opinion that counterstamps are befitting as coins and tokens alike.

Exoguy - please note that Rich Hartzog recently passed away. I spent a couple of decades exchanging information, working trades, and generally enjoying his views on exonumia.

One of the chapters on Illinois in one of my books is dedicated to him.

It really is a sad loss for him to be gone.

@ moxking .... Yes, I spoke with Greg some days ago and learned of Rich's passing. It happened so suddenly, too. Quite a sad event for those who appreciated his devotion to exonumia.

@ jbuck .... Thanks for the acknowledgment. I wouldn't be surprised if the CCF undergoes some tweaking in the future. Regardless, you folks are doing an ultra-fine job, as is.