No info on it. It is really to modern to really matter . The only thing I'm sure of is that it was a handmade mark
Considering that there were 563,257,500 1955 cents minted in Denver, that particular bit of post-mint damage is undoubtedly rare. So what? It's still PMD to a coin that would have little or no premium over face without the damage. Value= <2 cents. (It is copper, after all.)
I tried that site, searched the words "Lander" (nothing) ,"Jennison" (nothing), Figuered I try something simpler . Searched the word "token" (nothing) , "Liberty" (nothing) , "Civil" (nothing)' John" (nothing) ,"Smith" (nothing) . IMO that site is worthless. Books ,books ,books , reference ,reference,reference.....
It was the only one I was able to find with any listings. I am definitely open to other sites as I too have a countermarked coin I would like to get info on. It is also possible to email Rich from exonumia.com with any questions about marks not listed. He was very nice and got back to me very quickly. My understanding is "Merchant and Privately Countermarked Coins, Advertising on the World's Smallest Billboards" by Greg Bunk is the best reference for counterstamped coins, but it was listed for like $120 on amazon (I didn't feel like paying that much) and my local Barnes and Noble didn't have it anywhere in the system. Good luck, I'm interested to see if anyone is able to find some other sources.
Yes , Bruce would probably be the best person to ask here on the subject. I agree with Ken though. Here is a better link for the site that Huvey31 posted . It is just a list ,not much else . But the page that was linked earlier has a search feature that seems to not work & that is why I ragged on it http://www.exonumia.com/art/cma.htm
It is not a collectable counter stamp IMO. It is just a stamped coin. If the coin in question is not used for advertising of some sorts or at least traceable to an individual, location or event, they normally have no collector value. Top this off with the fact that the coin is dated 1955 which puts it out of the "counterstamp" collecting period which is normally pre civil war until around 1899. There are some exception, notably an example I use to own dated 1909, pictured below. If it were not for the research done by the previous owner, even this example would have had little value. I think a actual retail estimate of your coin would be less that one dollar IMHO.
Great information in your two posts, thank you for the input. I'll check the book you mentioned, my coin like yours falls out of the pre civil war to 1899 dates. It is a 1906 indian head cent stamped with either a "B" or "IB". It's my understanding that simple counterstamps like that are virtually impossible to identify.
Your counterstamp isn't listed in any references that I have C-B-D including the best source of all, Brunk's reference and his 2006 update which was never published. I assume there's no counterstamp on the reverse. If "Handmade" were part of a stamp that included a person's name or company name it might have some value. As it is, you might get a buck or two for it on eBay. Some modern counterstamps have value but unfortunately not yours. Bruce
There are several "IB" counterstamps documented heuvy but all are extremely old, probably issued before 1830. Yours is obviously more modern and probably has little value. As you say "initials only" stamps are extremely difficult to attribute for obvious reasons. Some have been, but not many. If you can post a picture I'd like to see it anyway. Bruce
Thanks for the information and assistance Bruce I appreciate it. I posted a pic in the coin roll hunting section previously. You should be able to find the picture by going here http://www.cointalk.com/t10176-1722/#post1639280 Thanks again
I see an "I" on your 1906 heuvy but can't make out anymore. The style of the punch looks to be a bit older then your coin (maybe 1870's/1880's) so it was probably stamped with an older set of pinches. Thanks for the pic. Bruce
One thing is for sure - whatever it is worth, it is a huge premium over what it would be worth WITHOUT the counterstamp. It is a keeper, in my opinion, if not for you, then for someone who collects modern countertamps. The fact that it is on a coin from the second half of the 20th century, makes it uncommon (but not necessarily valuable). I would have to respectfully disagree with the idea that 20th century (and later) counterstamped coins are not collectable. Some people specialize in "modern" counterstamps. Also, people collect in all sorts of different ways, such as counterstamped by type, so someone who needs a countertsamped wheat Lincoln might need this particular coin.
Thanks everyone, for your opinions and all the info! I have no clue about countermarks, but I thought it was cool... such a tiny counterstamp (or post mint damage as some prefer to call it). It's going on eBay, so you know someone will buy it. I'll put it up in a couple days. Thanks again!
Your stamp, because of its small size, was probably used in a small craft jewelery business or metal shop of some sort CBD. Somewhere there's probably a similar stamp with the name of the craftsman or company who made the object...too bad he didn't stamp the coin with it. I also agree with JBK about the collectability and value of modern counterstamps.I collect contemporary pieces (1948 to present) as well as 19th Century examples and modern Irish political stamps. All are fun to collect and attribute if possible. Just another interesting area of numismatics. Bruce
