Hi all. This is an 1827 large cent with a counterstamp. I saw somewhere a list of known counterstamps and S AUSTIN was on it so I'm wondering if the N didn't fit. That suggests to me a single punch as opposed to individual letters. What is the story of the S AUSTIN counterstamp and what is its value? Bruce? Thanks for the help.
I don't know of an "S. Austin" counterstamp silentnviolent but Brunk does list an "H.S. Austin" example on an 1855 Large Cent. Like you thought, the last letter does seem to be an "N". I don't see any indication of an "H" or any other letter before the "S". It does appear to be a prepared punch but I'm not 100% sure. Your stamp looks like it was applied not too long after the coin was issued which makes it a classic early American issue. The stamp is obviously heavily worn but also appears to have crumbled in several places either from overuse or from poor manufacture. Just out of curiosity, where did you see a listing for "S. Austin"? I may have missed something in my references. Thanks for posting it. Bruce
You are right... There is an H S AUSTIN listed (alphabetically, under Austin). that was my mistake. perhaps simply because the prepared punch was intended for a larger coin? that explains why the H at the beginning, as well as the N at the end, are not present. Did H S AUSTIN typically only stamp Lg Cents or were there other coins as well?
More than likely the punch was intended for another purpose other than stamping coins...most were. However, there are punches known that were made only for that purpose and can sometimes be identified by size, style or the type of coin stamped. If a certain stamp fits nicely on a Large Cent for instance and all the known examples of the issuer appear on Large Cents, then it was likely made to fit that coin. I've actually seen a number of too-large counterstamps where the first part was struck on one side of the coin and the rest on the other side so it could be read. There's only one example of Austin's counterstamp known and it's on an 1855 Large Cent. I think yours might be from a different issuer entirely and really does read "S. Austin" That makes it unique. Unfortunately, the chance of ever identifying Austin is remote at best. Bruce
A counterstamp (or countermark) is a slogan, name (person's or company's),initials, or anything else stamped on a coin with a steel punch or die. They were common in the 19th century and were used to advertise a business, as a personal "pocket piece", to make a political statement, or for any number of other reasons. Some, generally called countermarks, were official government stamps used to revalue coinage, or to legitimize it in some way. Counterstamping is still seen today but on a limited basis. The most common are the political issues from Northern Ireland done in the Troubles era of the 1960's to 1990's. There are dozens of different stamps known issued mostly by Nationalist and Loyalist paramilitaries. Bruce
What is the value of a large cent with the counter stamp on it on mine I can't hardly read the date but I can barely see the 18 - -
