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Posted 08/24/2011 1:06 pm
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Enjoying the informative exchange on the sidelines, I am!
While the NRA is the likely issuer of this counterstamp, the Kansas website states: "In 1848, NRA was absorbed into other political movements, like the Free Soil and Abolitionists."
Is it not possible then that some abolitionist participants in the NRA adopted the slogan beyond 1844? This would account for the later dated specimens. My own collection includes three pre-1844 dated coins with this counterstamp. One, a Coronet type, has no date. I've seen others, where the date was worn or absent, too. One just sold on ebay for $99. I strongly suspect that there are a few hundred examples of this counterstamp extant.
In the realm of counterstamped coins, there are examples of stamps having been used after the original issuer had passed. Silversmith, John Aitken, is one such example as I recall. Perhaps, a successor, a son or other member of Aitken's family wanted a keepsake or was simply curious how the stamp would look on a coin?
IMHO, if this dual scenario is true, there's really no means of positive attribution for a given piece, regardless of the date. The NRA would be the default issuer, but who's to say that an abolitionist wouldn't have been proud to share the sentiment ... VOTE THE LAND FREE. Regardless, a great slogan, that; and, a slogan which certainly has present-day implications! From my perspective, this all adds to the mystique of this issue.
Enjoying the informative exchange on the sidelines, I am!
While the NRA is the likely issuer of this counterstamp, the Kansas website states: "In 1848, NRA was absorbed into other political movements, like the Free Soil and Abolitionists."
Is it not possible then that some abolitionist participants in the NRA adopted the slogan beyond 1844? This would account for the later dated specimens. My own collection includes three pre-1844 dated coins with this counterstamp. One, a Coronet type, has no date. I've seen others, where the date was worn or absent, too. One just sold on ebay for $99. I strongly suspect that there are a few hundred examples of this counterstamp extant.
In the realm of counterstamped coins, there are examples of stamps having been used after the original issuer had passed. Silversmith, John Aitken, is one such example as I recall. Perhaps, a successor, a son or other member of Aitken's family wanted a keepsake or was simply curious how the stamp would look on a coin?
IMHO, if this dual scenario is true, there's really no means of positive attribution for a given piece, regardless of the date. The NRA would be the default issuer, but who's to say that an abolitionist wouldn't have been proud to share the sentiment ... VOTE THE LAND FREE. Regardless, a great slogan, that; and, a slogan which certainly has present-day implications! From my perspective, this all adds to the mystique of this issue.
I concur. There is but little way that an incontrovertible conclusion can be ascertained.
As per the OP:
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Given the census and distribution of known and verified specimens, I'm inclined to agree with Bower's theory. Pursuant to the waning popularity of Evans' campaign in 1844, it is clear why the highest population of specimens are dated 1844 and earlier.
Given the census and distribution of known and verified specimens, I'm inclined to agree with Bower's theory. Pursuant to the waning popularity of Evans' campaign in 1844, it is clear why the highest population of specimens are dated 1844 and earlier.
And..
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Bowers finally speculates that if indeed there are specimens which exist that are dated later than 1844, they were struck casually, and are not pursuant to the National Reform Association's efforts. I'm also inclined to agree.
Bowers finally speculates that if indeed there are specimens which exist that are dated later than 1844, they were struck casually, and are not pursuant to the National Reform Association's efforts. I'm also inclined to agree.
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Cheetah I was just trying to engage conversation on your article and know what you write is sound and quite informative.
Cheetah I was just trying to engage conversation on your article and know what you write is sound and quite informative.
My sincere apologies for coming across as being terse. It was not my intent.
In fact I appreciate your ongoing interest and engagement in these topics. (The same sentiment indeed applies to Exo, as well as the others who have posted at various times.) There aren't a lot of us enthusiasts who hold such interests!
