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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,099 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3156 Posts |
Just picked up this coin today. Anybody know what the M stamp came from? Coin has lots of detail left.   |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
25000 Posts |
Very neat counterstamp, jerryc! This one might be tough to attribute. It seems a bit large for a silversmith's hallmark, but it's possible. That's where I would start.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10485 Posts |
Well, if nothing else that counterstamp is very cool!
Who was the member that was really into counterstamps and had great knowledge of them? I can't remember...
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Moderator
United States
15395 Posts |
That is indeed a very interestingcounter stamp. Much larger than we normally see. Quote:
Who was the member that was really into counterstamps and had great knowledge of them? Chafemasterj has an ongoing 260 page counterstamp thread in the US Moderns Coins forum: https://goccf.com/t/303507Edited by nickelsearcher
11/12/2025 05:22 am
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Very interesting.  Quote:
Who was the member that was really into counterstamps and had great knowledge of them? I can't remember... Also, ExoGuy.  I am moving this to the US Classic forum to grab his attention. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2281 Posts |
Very sweet coin!
You realize when you know how to think, it empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think.
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10485 Posts |
Quote:
Also, ExoGuy Right - that's who I was thinking of!  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
73795 Posts |
Can't help you with the counterstamp, but very nice coin! That Draped Bust Large Cent has a lot of details left.
Errers and Varietys.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5029 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3640 Posts |
Very interesting example.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
Hi Jerry .... Got your message.
Having checked my resources, I'm unable to attribute this "M" for Maverick c/s. On the upside, it's a very cool looking piece, and I'm happy to chime in with my thoughts and observations on it.
Note that whomever punched this coin took care in centering and orienting it, readability-wise, on the host. In otherwords, this wasn't a willy-nilly hit, it was planned. The cartouche, rectangular enclosure, suggests that this is a smith's mark. While I'm inclined to agree with Hondo that M wasn't likely a silversmith, he could've been. The c/s's larger size suggests it was applied to larger products. As the stamp's craftsmanship appears crude or primitive, M may have been a blacksmith, a toolmaker, a pewterer and/or some other manner of metal worker. Then too, it wasn't unusual for 19th century wrokers to pursue multiple occupations, jumping from one to another.
Most of these early workers were members of masonic orders (M for Masons?). They networked and schooled one another. Perhaps, this crudely fashioned c/s was a beginner's effort?
While this c/s could well have been applied to the maker's products, it could also have been applied to his tools, signifying ownership. Many c/s's were circulated to advertise products or services. This M c/s appears to have been produced for personal reasons.
Quite possibly, the host coin's date, 1807, was significant to whomever punched this coin?
While this c/s'd coin lacks any specific backstory, it certainly poses a great many questions. Being able to solve a puzzle and attribute these early stampings has been a great pastime for this old guy. That said, simply Musing about c/s's can be equally engaging. Perhaps, a matching M c/s on another coin will someday surface, and an accompanying c/s might then lead to discovering who M was.
One last thought .... This 1807 cent has great detail. Has anyone as yet determined its Sheldon number?
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5662 Posts |
I was wondering when @ExoGuy would show up and provide us with some of his expertise! I can't say much about the counterstamp, but the large cent appears to be an S-276 large fraction.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3156 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
Interesting comparison, Jerry. Consider that the price realized on that 1798 copper may have something to do with its Sheldon variety. If Zurie's attribution of S-276 on your 1807 is correct, that appears to be a relatively common variety.
Attributed c/s's and desireable Sheldon varieties (particularly so, the NC's or Non-Collectible varieties) oftentimes enhance values of the early coppers.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3156 Posts |
I was thinking that the size and shape of the M looked similar. As far as what my unattributed coin might be worth I have no idea.
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Than you, ExoGuy! |
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,099 |
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Posted 11/11/2025 10:06 pm
