An 1820 us quarter with letters " S M " across the coin. Why would someone imprint " S M" on the coin?Looks like old font.
Counterstamp, could be for a company or just a person's initials, or there are many reasons why it could be there.
It does not hurt, it DESTROYS it. There are some collectors of countermarks, but not many and SM is pretty generic. However, the underlying coin maybe is worth 10 cents on the dollar had the counterstamp not been there. Chris
There's a few counterstamped quarters on eBay right now: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=counterstamped+quarter&_sacat=See-All-Categories Here's some other denominations: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...odkw=&_osacat=253&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313
Any time. I know it sucks that the damage is there. I have a 1825 I believe quarter that would be VF or better if someone hadn't put a hole in it.
I guess if someone had provenance to the counterstamp initial or name on the coin that would be collectible. If a famous business man used the counterstamp for advertising it would be desireable? I'm guessing it's illegal to counterstamp now?
No sir its not illegal. Most people just put stickers on, its easier and more informative. Yes, if you can find the provenance it would increase its value. There are books out there on counterstamps. I believe David Bowers put one together. Chris
i'm sure someone out there collects counter stamped coins... i hear of people making a dansco 7070 holed set.. why not make a counterstamped one, that sounds kinda fun .... i may just have to do this myself
There are very many counterstamps that are collectible. However, the underlying coin is damaged, so the coin loses most value, but there may be value to the counterstamp. Still, most counterstamped US coins I see its very much a net loss of value overall. While that interesting counterstamped large cent may be worth $40, if the coin was worth $100 if not counterstamped I consider it a loss of a $100 coin, but gaining a $40 counterstamp. Yes, there can be a vg large cent that is now worth more because of a rare counterstamp, but those are not common. I will stand corrected though if you are more knowledgable on counterstamps and say this market has appreciate significantly since I last saw it. Last time I was looking at this market it seemed interesting, and a worthwhile field, but the prices paid for the objects were, on the hole, a lot less than if the coins had not been counterstamped to begin with. Personally I have quite a few counterstamped large cents, and would love to hear their prices have gone up significantly. Unfortunately I never sell, but it would give me a warm fuzzy feeling knowing they have gone up. Most were bought in odd lots or junk piles I have acquired. None were bought on purpose, though I do find them interesting and have a lot of respect for those collectors who chase these down and attribute them. Chris
Actually yes it IS illegal. Title 18 Sec 475 475. Imitating obligations or securities; advertisements Whoever designs, engraves, prints, makes, or executes, or utters, issues, distributes, circulates, or uses any business or professional card, notice, placard, circular, handbill, or advertisement in the likeness or similitude of any obligation or security of the United States issued under or authorized by any Act of Congress or writes, prints, or otherwise impresses upon or attaches to any such instrument, obligation, or security, or any coin of the United States, any business or professional card, notice, or advertisement, or any notice or advertisement whatever, shall be fined under this title. Nothing in this section applies to evidence of postage payment approved by the United States Postal Service. An older version specified a fine of $500 per violation. The movie studio that release the second Fantastic Four movie, Rise of the Silver Surfer, used stickered quarters as part of their advertising promotion and the government told them to cease and desist or face fines for each coin. Counterstamps that can be traced to a specific person or business do have a collector base and the prices for such coins has risen. Unfortunately it has gotten many dealers to try and as ridiculous prices for coins with just random letters punched into them calling them "Counterstamps". If it isn't traceable, it isn't a counterstamp, it's mutilation. If it is done with the authorization of a government or official body then it is called a countermark.
Good background Conder, but to me its a case where a law can be made all they wish, but its in violation of US court rulings. Coins have been ruled personal property, and as such can be used in whatever manner seen fit by the owner. I am not sure which would win in a court. I think the US Statute may win for currency, since it is a promissory note and as such needs to be legally read for acceptance. Coinage is a different animal, though, and is not a promissory note. Personally I do not think defacement, if not being used to deceive someone into accepting it at a higher value, (ie a "racketeer nickel"), would be controllable by the US government after they had sold the coinage to the public. Just my opinion, however. My local coin club asked the Secret Service is they had an issue with us affixing stickers to quarters in celebration of 50 years, and while they did not give us a formal ruling, (they never will), ackowledged we were doing it and never sent a letter asking us to stop. Chris
There is a counterstamp "SM" listed in the references, but not attributed to anyone. It may not be the same as yours though Dr. This particular one isn't worth much, probably about $20 or so tops. If you could post a picture of yours I'd like to see it. There are initials-only counterstamps that have value, some with substantial value as a matter of fact. Bruce
They have increased in value quite a bit Chris, especially in the past few years. You ought to make a list of some of your stamps and p/m them to me. I'd be glad to check them out for you and give you my opinion. Many counterstamps today are worth more than the coin they're stamped on. It's worth looking into even if you don't sell them. Bruce
There is a differnce between something being illegal, and enforcing that law. There are a LOT of laws on the books that are never enforced, but since they are on the books they can be trotted out and used against you at any time the government chooses.
