Hello everyone! This is my first official post. I did a forum search several times but got nothing back for what I was searching for so I hope this hasnt already been beat to death... I have a 1911 Liberty nickel in pretty good condition.The only thing is, it has additional markings I've never seen before-anywhere. Maybe someone has seen this before? On the"heads" side there is a number a "1" struck on either side of the head.What is this?? Someone just trying to play a joke or is there additional info? Thanks, Eden Here be my Pix:
Here's some additional info: Coins are common and intimate things. People spend them, covet them, fondle them, do all sorts of things with them. Some people even stamp seemingly random letters and numbers on them, using tools we can conceive but for reasons we will never know. An invaluable lesson I learned while obtaining a "liberal arts" degree was from a remark made half in jest by a professor: Folks do lots of things. Nobody really knows why. Test on Friday.
Thats great man! Question: Was the aforementioned a professor of Liberal Arts or another professor you had at the time? Yeah,I suppose if I had to go with my gut rather than my wishful thinkings I have a hunch this was something that someone did for personal reasons without any real rhyme or reason. The only thing that sort of sparks my interest is that A)the numbers coincide with the date and B)The striking or stamping looks "old" to me for some reason.....Test on Friday! LOL.
No, not stumped, just the first time seeing this thread here... Search for 'counter stamped', that's what's been done to your coin. There are lots of interesting counter stamped coins. Technically, in most coin collectors eyes, this coin is numismatically 'damaged' because of the markings. It's no mystery but it could well be impossible to ever figure out the source or reason for it having been counter stamped in the first place. Welcome to CT.
Thanks for the welcome my friend. Also thanks for the info-gives me something to go on for a bit. I know it would take far more challenging material to stump you folks here, just tryin generate a lil interest in my thread :thumb:. Can I ask you what "counter-stamping " is? Is it basically as the term indicates-any stamping thats been done outside of the original mint stamping? :foot-mouth: Thanks again for the info and welcome! Anyone else wanna get in on this "Barn-burner" of a thread?? :yes:
Yes, counter stamping is done after minting, not during nor by the mint afterward. It's something that one does with a die hammered against the coin or press-type device. Check out these other threads that show other common examples: masonic pennies,need some advice Cool Counterstamp Lincoln! Wheat penny stamped I Think its an old Masonic coin My personal counterstamps Also, search for Trade Dollars with "chop marks" as the Asian markets used to stamp old western coins with personal hallmarks indicating acceptance of quality and to expedite future accounting in transactions.
Eden, welcome to the forum. Like the other guys say, they're counterstamps or countermarks. These seem to be random with no real reason other than someone had too much time on their hands and owned a cheap punch set. Sears used to sell them, so they were easy to come by. Unless it can be attributed to someone or some important event, this particular counterstamp has no premium. Some of the old counterstamps, even unattributed, can be valuable for a number of reasons. Although the coin is heavily worn, the stamp isn't, which indicates a relatively recent punching. I would guess it's probably 60 or 70 years old. Bruce
