Can anyone tell me who counterstamped coins with the initials J.L.K Id imagine they did it sometime around the 1850s to 1860s. I have a Flying Eagle cent with that counterstamp. This Flying Eagle I have is a very high grade mint state, prob MS 65 maybe even higher. But it is counterstamped and I have always wondered who did it. Does anyone know if a coin with a specific counterstamp could be worth more and if not, how much does it hurt the grade??? Id imagine that if someone famous or someone who was known to mark their money, had marked it, Id almost think that it wouldnt hurt the grade. But Im not sure how that works, does anyone know anything on the subject???
The counterstamp of a known historical figure might give the coin a collectible value to those who favor that figure, but numismatically it is damage and would get the coin bodybagged by substantially all of the top level TPGs, and most of the lower level ones as well. That type of counterstamp is not in the same category with official and semi-official counterstamps by which governments and rebel groups changed the value of specific issues, and counterstamped large numbers of coins. IIRC there are some Portuguese coins altered in that manner. It also differs from the so-called "chop marks" of merchants - usually Chinese - applied to confirm the bullion value of many silver coins circulating in the Far East. BTW finding one coin with initials counterstamped on it does not say anything about whether it is a unique item, one of several, or even one of thousands. It just proves that the one in question exists.
There are basically two types of counterstamps (at least ones that involve multiple charatcters): single letter/number punches, and a prepared punch. In other words, if the three initials are in a uniform pattern then it was probably one single stamp that was used. If the letters are a bit jumbled, unevenly spaced, etc. then they were probably done one letter at a time. C/Ss with the individual letters have very little (if any) value since they could have been made at any time. The C/Ss made with a prepared/single stamp can have some value as if they only appear on older coins it is assumed they date from that period. Brunk wrote the standard book on U.S. counterstamps - and if it is listed there it will increase the value somewhat over an unlisted coin, even if the maker is not known. Some rare and sought after counterstamps go for 100s of dollars or more. Your coin, though, is probably not in that category. Also, in most cases, a high grade coin (an old one, anyway), is reduced in value by the stamping. Too bad your stamp did not read JBK or I would have offered you something for it. I collect counterstamps, and have even found some old ones (early 1800s) with my initials. Also, I have several prepared stamps which I use to counterstamp current coins with. One has my initials - JBK - and I have stamped a couple thousand coins so far. So, maybe a 150 years from now someone will be cursing me for having stamped what would otherwise have been a valuable coin. (There is a chance that some Minnesota double-die quarters have been brabded with my initials.)
LMAO, you counterstamp your own money, thats great. I like that Idea, I will be sure to let you know if I ever get a JBK coin in change. But Id like to say that I am impressed, there are people on here that really know their stuff, and are very helpful. I think this site is great. I can ask a question that I have been wondering for years now, and I always get an answer, thank you....thanks everyone. Maybe Ill see what I can do to make a counter stamp, so be sure to let me know if anyone gets a DJP coin in change.
Now I woudnt mind having one of those coins in my collection LOL (Yep I like oddities) way to go JBK but just wait till the coin police here of this defacing LOL De Orc
