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 Replies: 8 / Views: 3,736 |
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New Member
United Kingdom
28 Posts |
I have a two penny 1759 cartwheel that weights at 58.1020gr. Is my understanding that a Cartwheel two penny 'should' weigh exactly two ounces or 56.699grams, or a bit less for wear. The diameter is correct and also the thickness. Could the coin actually weigh at 58.102gr and be the real thing? What does the counterstamp mark stand for? Thanks.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
Hi, calinka, and welcome to the forum! First of all the weight. Ia a British catalog I have the weight for this piece in the 56.3 - 58.1 gram range. For such a large coin it's impossible to maintain the constant weight (I mean in the production of it). Another reason is that this coin was produced for many years thereafter with the frozen date, so-called "late Soho". Here I addressed the variation of coin weights in a different context. Now the stamp. Somebody exercised stamping initials "GB" on the coin. It could be somebody's name or someone decided to put a "better ID" on the coin. Unless you can find documentation that it was done by somebody famous or for a certain event (like British patriots marked the coins circulating in Ireland or such), this would classify as just damage to the coin. Still, it looks like a nice specimen, with good details, and I'd keep it and was proud of it! Thanks for sharing! |
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New Member
 United Kingdom
28 Posts |
HI svslav and thank you for the welcome.
It's a relief to know that the weight is within range, I was a bit concerned because my other 2d cartwheels came at between 56.6gr and 56.8gr.
Unfortunately I have no idea of the 'stamp mark' origin.
What I love the most about this coin is the beautiful toning, the camera image does not do justice to it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
It is one of the best examples I've seen of this type! Too bad about the graffiti ... you can invent a neat story about its origin  . |
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Valued Member
Canada
268 Posts |
Do not despair. It is common for merchants to "counter stamp" coins with there monikers. Does it devalue the coin? That is a somewhat subjective matter. I personally find your coin to be of great interest. With due respect to a fellow family member, I would not consider the counter stamp as graffiti. With a little research you may find others with similar marks. If I had seen the coin in a shop I would not hesitate to purchase. I posted the previous Cartwheel. You have a very nice coin. Kieran
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New Member
United Kingdom
28 Posts |
Thank you Meldercat for the uplifting comment, I have gone 'counter stamp' blind, I hardly notice it :-) .
My main concern was about the unexpected weight of this coin but that has turned out to be a non issue.
I will certainly continue to follow this thread in case there are further posts, for sure I will be looking forward to become an active member on the forum.
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New Member
United Kingdom
30 Posts |
The counterstamp is known. An example has previously been recorded on an 1806/7 copper halfpenny. The standard work on countermarks on English coins like this is 'British Countermarks on Copper and Bronze Coins' by J. Gavin Scott (published Spink, London, 1975) and your mark is described in the 'unattributed letters and initials' section, page 164. Your mark is not (unlike some) attributable to anyone but, as has already been said, many tradesmen, merchants, etc marked coins and the cartwheel twopence and penny came in for more than their fair share of such things. Chris Wren
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New Member
United Kingdom
28 Posts |
Thank you Chris, I appreciate your information, since there is no specific I.D. originator it remains an 'orphan' coin which I have gladly adopted and cherish.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4000 Posts |
That's a beautiful coin! Outstanding detail.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 3,736 |
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Posted 12/18/2010 6:31 pm
