Recent acquisitions. Main post is after the pictures. First one, attributed to Mozambique: Next two are attributed to Pemba Island, Zanzibar: Last one attributed to Ras Bab al Mandab: These are interesting and highly controversial counterstamps. The last three, for example, are only known on host coins made after 1945, and which only appeared on the market in the 1960's. The prevailing theory is that they were commissioned by collectors traveling through the region, and were fantasy pieces that should have happened, but actually did not. The first piece, attributed to Mozambique has some historical background in the form of late 19th century pieces bearing the counterstamp. However, the vast majority of the host coins are mid 20th century or later. The few late 19th century variants bearing this counterstamp really mean nothing as far as origin. The first two coins actually appear to be the same variant, with coarse edge legends as described by Hafner. The last two also appear to be the same variant, but different from the first two. So all 4 of these are likely mid 20th century in origin. Oddly enough, even with this being common knowledge, the Pemba and Ras Bab al Mandab pieces are very rare and go for high prices at auction, especially the latter one which is arguably the rarest (or possibly second rarest) counterstamp found on MTT thalers. Just some cool stuff that you don't get to see very often
