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1 Dime Silver Coin Of 1834 Wfg Stamp. 4 Long

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 Posted 12/11/2018  1:06 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add Jose Laureano to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
It is rare or they are common coins that have the WFG seal

1-Dime-Silver-Coin-Of-1834-Wfg-Stamp.-4-Long
1-Dime-Silver-Coin-Of-1834-Wfg-Stamp.-4-Long
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 Posted 12/11/2018  1:51 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add BigSilver to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
What you have is called a counterstamped coin. It did not leave the US mint like that, it was damaged later, likely by a merchant.
Some counterstamps are known and significant, and some people collect them. Mostly they are regarded as damage and lower the value if the coin.
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 Posted 12/12/2018  12:09 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add ExoGuy to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
If a counterstamp can be attributed and history added, a counterstamped coin's value can be much enhanced. There are a great many stamped coins out there, wherein this is the case. Random numerals and initials that defy attribution do tend to diminish a coin's value. The difference then is knowledge, discerning what's meaningful.

On rare occasions, those who study counterstamps can attribute initials are on a particular coin. Silversmiths often stamped their products with hallmarks that consisted of simple initials.

Here's a typical silversmith hallmark, NA, on the underside of a colonial era spoon (bottom right of first pic, magnified on second pic) ....

1-Dime-Silver-Coin-Of-1834-Wfg-Stamp.-4-Long
1-Dime-Silver-Coin-Of-1834-Wfg-Stamp.-4-Long


The above hallmark is known to be that of Nathaniel Austin of Boston; this, as attributed and listed in silversmith reference books. Here's the identical mark on an 1801 large cent, along with a close-up pic ....

1-Dime-Silver-Coin-Of-1834-Wfg-Stamp.-4-Long
1-Dime-Silver-Coin-Of-1834-Wfg-Stamp.-4-Long

This hallmark much increases the value of the otherwise maybe $30 coin .... IF one can attribute the stamp AND can then attach meaningful history to the piece. Here are some notes on Nathaniel Austin ....

NATHANIEL, 1734-1818, WAS WORKING IN CHARLESTOWN IN 1776 WHEN HIS HOME AND SHOP WERE DESTROYED BY A BRITISH BOMBARDMENT. HE RELOCATED TO BOSTON AND HAD A SHOP ON BACK ST. BETWEEN 1797-1816. HE WORKED IN TANDEM WITH PAUL REVERE, IN THE MAKING OF A COFFEEPOT FOR PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS. (Great story, eh what?)


Here's a 1796 large cent that bears the initials W.H.A. It's appears to be a maverick, akin to our OP's coin ....

1-Dime-Silver-Coin-Of-1834-Wfg-Stamp.-4-Long


However, this 1803 large cent, bearing identical initials, also displays the name W.H. ATKINS. Same initials, mystery solved ....

1-Dime-Silver-Coin-Of-1834-Wfg-Stamp.-4-Long
1-Dime-Silver-Coin-Of-1834-Wfg-Stamp.-4-Long


Here are my notes that add to the history and value of the Atkins counterstamps ....

WILLIAM H. ATKINS WAS A CLOCKMAKER IN ITHACA, NY. IN 1854, ATKINS AND ONE J.C. BURRITT PATENTED A PERPETUAL CALENDAR CLOCK. THIS COUNTERSTAMP WAS ATTRIBUTED BY Q.D. BOWERS. ATKINS IS KNOWN TO HAVE USED A "W.H.A." C/S. ATKINS ALSO PATENTED A CLOCK MECHANISM THAT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY ADJUST FOR FEB. 29, LEAP YEAR. THIS HOST LINKS THE W.H.A COUNTERSTAMPS TO ATKINS.

While it's a longshot, our OP's counterstamp does stand a chance of someday being attributed.
Edited by ExoGuy
12/12/2018 12:17 pm
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 Posted 12/14/2018  06:44 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add ExoGuy to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Coincidentally, I just spotted the below, two counterstamps, listed on ebay. Note that they bear the same initials. As the OP's dime is well worn, there's no indication of periods or "stops" between the initials. Possibly, these all emanate from the same issuer?

1-Dime-Silver-Coin-Of-1834-Wfg-Stamp.-4-Long
1-Dime-Silver-Coin-Of-1834-Wfg-Stamp.-4-Long
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 Posted 12/14/2018  08:27 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add just carl to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Some collect those, I tend to ignor them.
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 Posted 12/14/2018  09:02 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add ExoGuy to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
Some collect those, I tend to ignor them.


To each, his own, Carl.

Like most collectors, I've plugged holes in albums, assembled many sets and owned some beautiful coins, tokens and medals. That said, counterstamped coins offer something more. I never cease to find them intriguing!

Counterstamps have huge appeal for collectors who seek to know about real history .... who once held a particular coin, what purpose it served beyond being a medium of exchange, when and where it traveled, etc. Then too, there's often some mystery attached, a puzzle to be solved. Counterstamped coins are often far more than simple commodities, to be bought and sold. A great many are truly pieces to be studied.

IMHO, so much about coin collecting involves quantifying, things numerical. We apply numbers to grading. We count the empty holes in albums. We use numbers to label varieties. We see how many coins we can accumulate .... etc.

What I most appreciate about counterstamps and other exonumia is that there are more qualitative avenues to explore. For me, this aspect takes me back in time. They give me the opportunity to stretch my mindset beyond the coin, going where most collectors don't tread. In a way, it's been great because those who can't get beyond the damage aspect sell cheap!
Edited by ExoGuy
12/14/2018 09:03 am
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 Posted 12/14/2018  12:05 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add ExoGuy to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
That's one succinct reply, if ever I read one, jbuck!
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