How Do You Feel About This?

Brunk listed counterstamps are popular. ANACS also slabs them as problem-free. And PCGS slabs this one...

 

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It's like a chopmark. It has its own niche in history.

 

Intentional markings are not damage. I kind of like it.

 

Blegh, I don't like it at all I like the original coin.

Thanks,
Jacob

 

I think doing this is tacky. It takes away from any coin and ruins the look. Just dumb.

 

If you look coins as works of art, often of beauty, not unlike a pretty woman, last thing I'd wanna see is to flip one over and find some other guy's name tattooed on, ahem, the "obverse."

 

No different then PCGS certifying a dime struck on a nail!

 

I can agree with it because the counterstamp is a cataloged item in its own reference book. If it was just an anonymous counterstamp then I would agree that it should be a details piece, but a cataloged counterstamp is like a variety or token listing.

There is one anonymous counterstamp that I believe does get a non-detail listing and that's the E and L counterstamps on 1815 and 1825 bust quarters.

 

Do you own this coin, Endeavor? It's a beautiful piece with a high quality counterstamp very carefully placed so not to damage the design.

Because of the pristine condition of both coin and stamp, I'd guess that it was issued in 1857 or shortly after. The style is consistent with that time period. While Parker is listed, his identity is not known. A good guess would be that he was a fine-metal craftsman...jeweler, silversmith, clock maker, etc. The stamp is one only someone like that would have the ability to cut.

It's not a popular issue. Only this one example has been identified so far. I don't know why TPGs sometimes give a details grade, and sometimes not. I suspect they may grade listed pieces (in Brunk, Rulau, etc.) with a straight grade, while undocumented ones go "details". Just a guess. I have nearly 1000 counterstamps in my collection, and don't have a single slabbed one, so don't have much experience with them. Truth be told, very few counterstamps get professionally graded. I rarely see them.

Bruce

 

BR, you are a counterstamp guy and that's great...but where do we draw the line? Are we gonna accept coin belt buckles for grading...how about "Hobo" nickels?
PCGS and NGC both run on the same credo...greed. Prior to this thread, I had no idea that they would grade a coin with a counterstamp. Best to all.

 

It sold for a bargain compared to most MS-62s. It seems that the market doesn't agree with NGC on the grade.

 

Slab everything for what it is. The junk will fall to the side. Old pieces with a history should be in a slab.

 

No, not my coin. In my opinion I consider the design to be damaged, even though the devices are untouched. I just prefer coins without any major or intentional marks. I consider counter stamps to be damage and a negative influence, as opposed to an improvement.

I'm not criticizing anyone who collects these. Just saying I prefer coins that are as close to the intended design as possible. It's really just a matter of preference and no one is wrong to say collecting one over the other is better.

 

I know some that resemble that remark.

 

I agree. At least then it could open up areas for people who wouldn't be comfortable venturing into that part of the market raw. I'm not a big counterstamp guy though I do find some to be quite interesting but not sure I would ever want to touch them raw.

 

I like this mindset. The only thing I would add is that any alteration done to a coin should get labeled with DETAILS. Then the grading company can add a description for the designation. I just think it makes grading more consistent and structured to classify coins into two major categories (original or altered). Then go from there with descriptions, secondary designations, pedigrees, etc.

 

And sometimes the raw leaves a bad taste in your mouth...

 

Oh, I'm not a fan of slabbing, especially counterstamped coins. I've had maybe 7 or 8 in my collection over the years, but have broken them all out. I just don't like mine slabbed. To each his own, though.

Bruce