Today I was looking through some of my large cents and came across this counterstamp 1838. I can't see well enough to tell what it said so I had my grandson look at it. He said it reads "W. Levis". So we proceed to Google the name. Lots of information but few actual counterstamp coins. This is the only Large Cent so far. We found one foreign coin and one US 50c. Below is a bit of history on William Levi's. Reposted from earlyunitedstatescoins “W. LEVIS” on a 1834 B-1 (also known on an 1818 and 1825 quarter) William Levis who was born in 1785, was an early silversmith in Philadelphia PA. Before he died in 1842, he was listed in the 1832- 1833 city directories as a currier located at 292 Filbert St. and in 1836- 1837 as an oil & leather merchant at No. 228 3rd Street. I found the same counterstamp on his silver. There is a banner counterstamp of his also. I have tried to identify the 1838. I'm confident the reverse is J. The matched obverses are N-11,13 15 and 16. N-11 and 13 are the same so I'm down to these three. I am leaning to N-16. Any help would be appreciated. Moe
The Levis stamp is a good one Moe. I can't help you with the Large Cent variety, but I can help you a little with the counterstamp. As you mentioned, there are two styles of stamp used by Levis...sometimes spelled Lewis. There are about 15 examples on Large Cents, and another 30 or so on other copper and silver coins. The straight stamp seems more common than the curved ribbon stamp Your straight stamp shows the weakness of some of his issues. Apparently, he stamped coins for many years and some examples show die deterioration from overuse. Yours is a good example of that. The later issues using the ribbon stamp show crumbling on the left side as well. I have an example on a heavily worn Spanish 1-Real, but fortunately the counterstamp is sharply struck. Thanks foe posting yours, Moe. Bruce
That's a decent example of the W. LEVIS counterstamp, Moe. I'd venture that it adds more value to the coin than the variety would offer. Bruce, our resident expert covered the issue quite well as usual. I have the straight Levis counterstamp on 1833 & 1837 large cents. I also have a spoon with a Levis mark. Whenever possible, I locate a spoon to pair up with these silversmith hallmarks. Here are pics of the Levis scroll-style hallmark on an 1813 Spanish two real piece for comparison.
Very nice examples. The way these Counterstamps bring history to life is amazing. I'm going to have to look through my other counterstamp coins to learn more. Thanks to everyone for the information.
Thanks Conder. Reverse "A" is only only other that has "D" in United high in the field. I still can't confirm the obverse, maybe too much PMD.
Thank you for providing the wonderful information on W. Levis. My grandson can't wait to research through my other counterstamp coins.
No problem, Moe, it's my pleasure. I would like to see some of your other counterstamps when you get a chance to sort them. Bruce
