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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,022 |
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New Member
United States
2 Posts |
I found an 1803 Draped Bust Large Cent in pretty rough condition. It's hard to tell, but I believe that it is the small date, small fraction coin. What's odd about this coin is that it is struck with the letters "NA" on the front of the coin. (See photographs below) My questions are: What do the letters NA signify? Was this an error in the minting process, something the mint did on purpose, or something done by a third party after the fact? How does this affect the rarity of the coin, if at all? Maybe there is a really simple answer to this, I'm a total novice when it comes to coins, but my internet searches did not come up with any relevant information. Thanks, Jeff   |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5663 Posts |
The "NA" is a counterstamp, applied after the coin left the mint. It's usually considered damage to a coin, but in this case it doesn't affect the value much, given the extensive scratches and damage elsewhere.
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Moderator
 United States
34397 Posts |
@jclark, first welcome to CCF. Second, while I don't disagree with @zurie's comments in general, the incuse NA counterstamp might just be a special one. See the below link for more information from one of our resident experts on counterstamps (@exoguy): http://goccf.com/t/126486&whichpage=51#2876012I'm hoping that he will weigh in on whether this is an actual signature mark of Nathaniel Austin. The A looks a little different to me, but it is a little hard to tell with the current pics. Perhaps you can take a really sharp close-up of the counterstamp and post it to this thread? Thx. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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New Member
 United States
2 Posts |
Thanks very much for the quick responses.
Spence, I will take a close up photograph and post it. Whether or not this turns out to be a Nathaniel Austin coin, it's very interesting information.
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Moderator
United States
187862 Posts |
 to the Community! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5663 Posts |
@Spence, great thought about the NA counterstamp. If it were authenticated as a Nathaniel Austin hallmark, it would certainly be a great find. Hopefully @exoguy will chime in.
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Moderator
United States
34397 Posts |
Agreed--the fact that it is in roughly the same location, same denomination, and same time period gives me some hope, but I am definitely not the expert on these.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5663 Posts |
Here's an earlier thread by @ExoGuy about the "NA" counterstamp on large cents. It certainly looks very similar. http://goccf.com/t/246751 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
to the CCF! |
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,022 |
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Posted 01/30/2021 8:24 pm
