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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,105 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
As if I needed an excuse to purchase another counterstamp, I couldn't resist buying this attributed piece that boasts a pictorial image which confirms the occupation of the issuer. A relatively small percentage of counterstamped coins embody pictorial images.   Daniel Wigg was a blacksmith in Hyde Park, NY in the mid 1850's and many years beyond that. Brunk recorded six known specimens, all hosted on large cents, in his 2003 counterstamp book. Since then, I've tracked a half dozen others, one of which is hosted on a 1779 two real piece. As the latest dated host coin is presently an 1854 cent, Wigg was likely stamping his coins in the late 1850's; this, being the heyday decade for the counterstamp craze. Notably, among Daniel's customers were mebers of the nearby Roosevelt family. Born in 1814, Daniel lived to the ripe old age of 83. He fathered ten children. A devout Christian, Daniel was highly respected by neigbors who consulted him on spiritual matters. He died penniless, but one of his neighbors purchased his residence and housed Daniel therein for his remaining days. Below appears a photo of Daniel, sitting outside his shop, circa mid1880's ....  Daniel's claim to fame was his linament for beast or man. He adopted the horseshoe as his trademark. Eventually, in 1869, he secured patent on the linament which was sold in drug stores and elsewhere. Here's an ad for the product ....  Were it not for the trademark horsehoe pictorial on Daniel's advertising coins, these counterstamps might never have been attributed. Edited by ExoGuy
12/25/2025 12:07 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1502 Posts |
Awesome piece of history.
I always feel a sense of reward when I track down the history of some of my unique metal detecting finds.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2362 Posts |
ExoGuy, thanks for another great story! I found this on ebay.   Member ANA and EAC "You got to lose to know how to win". Dream On by Aerosmith |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4415 Posts |
Thanks, Cipster! I'm unable to locate the listing, so it sold. But, I grabbed your pic for my files MERRY CHRISTMAS to all !!!  Edited by ExoGuy
12/25/2025 12:39 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1460 Posts |
Edited by igwt79
12/25/2025 2:11 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10029 Posts |
Great story and history. I really enjoy stuff like this. I was going to see if I could also find what his bottles looked like, but cipster beat me to it.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10470 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
94636 Posts |
that is pretty cool1 nice 'self' gift! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
73579 Posts |
Very cool! Thank you for posting. Errers and Varietys.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
I'm always happy to see these "damaged" coins receive some appreciation and respect. Thanks, guys! I'm actually happy to see that the bottle sold. I'd have been very tempted to buy it. That said, having a pixel pic that doesn't collect dust works far better for me in the long run. My c/s collection has grown to just over 3,000 coins. I have found many go-alongs; particularly so, for favored occupations. I've amassed a hundred-plus silver spoons that bear matching hallmarks. Then too, there are about four dozen photographs, ambrotypes and daguerreotypes, that bear coin-matching, artist stampings. The list goes on .... It's long been a labor of love, attributing the c/s's for fifty years now. Interestingly, many of my go-alongs appear to be rarer in number than the elusive c/s's. It now seems that I've become, in effect, a museum curator in my retired years.  Edited by ExoGuy
12/25/2025 10:04 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5661 Posts |
Great background on that counterstamp! Nice to know the history behind some of these items. Definitely a rewarding collecting specialty.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5029 Posts |
Excellent addition and information to go along with it!
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Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
Outstanding and thank you for sharing! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
Thanks, jbuck .... I've long loved how a great many old, counterstamped coins virtually talk to us. They often take on a persona, telling us something of where the've been, who once held them and what purpose they once served. Then too, they often tell us about the times during which they circulated. Their present day value lies not in numerical grades, minting varieties/errors and other slab-worthy attributes. Their value is largely historical, the stories they can tell to those willing to investigate. Collectors of this genre can, by vrtue of unlocking their secrets, add to their historical value, and this opportunity has long enriched my collecting years. There are many thousands of counterstamped coins out there, awaiting attribution.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3619 Posts |
There's a difference between a collector and a numismatist. Your love for history, attribution, and details of what you collect is true numismatics. I always look forward to your posts because I learn something new and fascinating. Thank you so much for your love for the science of numismatics and your passion to share what you learn with the rest of us!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2457 Posts |
very cool & interesting, thanks for that, ExoGuy!
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,105 |
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Posted 12/25/2025 11:13 am
