Thread: strange coin punch newfoundland 1872 twenty cent

i have a newfoundland 1872 twenty cent piece, i have tried to upload a pic but for some reason it says its to big. and i do not know how to make the pics smaller. on the side with the queen it has E.T stamped or punched into it. was this something that the mint at the time did as say, meaning early test or something of the sort. or is it post mint damage? thanks

Try PIXresizer (Freeware)


http://majorgeeks.com/PIXresizer_d5632.html

ill try this and see if it works

ok i managed to upload the pics. thanks please have a look and what would you grade these coins at ? thanks again

Looks to be a counter stamp but the experts will have to chime in and shed some light on it. I really dont know enough about them to say if its legit or not.

hi what is a counter stamp. as i know nothing about them? thanks

Yes, looks like the coin was counterstamped. That's where a person takes a punch and puts their initials or names or other designs into a coin. Technically, it's PMD; but some people collect counterstamped coins.

Here is a website that will give you an over view.....http://www.numistories.com/537/count...e-the-history/

thanks ill have to wait and see if anyone knows more, thanks for your input much appriciated.

I would have to think that a coin counterstamped by ET would carry a high premium. He was only on the planet for a few months in the early eightys while shooting the movie.

well maybe its time to phone home..lol

The "E.T" counterstamp is apparently just a random set of initials struck on the coin for who knows what reason maggie. It was common in the day to do so. Initials-only stamps are generally of little value as it's almost impossible to determine who the initials represent. Some counterstamps are extremely valuable, but to be so they have to have an interesting story, be historically significant, or have another appealing quality. Yours isn't listed in any of the references I have on the subject.

Bruce

Hey Bruce, could you recommend some good literature on counterstamps?

thanks i figured maybe it was a newfoundland company a merchant maybe fish related but i found nothing in my research. i wouldnt think newfoundland coins were used in many other places than newfoundland , and thats where i am located. thanks,,,, could you possibly weigh in on the grade of the three coins i have pics of. as well the coin with the striike . is that worth less now with the mark being punched into it? thanks

Clockwise, I would venture a grade of F-15 "Details" for the counterstamped coin, XF-45 and VF-30. Some collectors like counterstamped coins and it may not be seen as negative by them.