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Message:: [QUOTE="BRandM, post: 1828238, member: 22729"]The initials are for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway like bdunnse says Amanda. Although it's roots go back to 1833 when it was called the Erie & Kalamazoo Railway, it didn't become the LS & MS Ry until the merger of three railroads in April, 1869; The Michigan Southern, Northern Indiana, and the Lakeshore. It lasted until 1914 when it was merged into other railroads. I don't know who Loveless is, but he may have been an agent for the railroad in Allegan. I've seen other counterstamps where both the railroad's name and an agent or officer of the line appears on the same coin. Since the coin is holed, it was probably worn by Mr. Loveless possibly as company ID, or simply as a personal piece. If you can confirm that there was a station in Allegan then Loveless probably was the company's agent there. You have a nice counterstamp there Amanda, and yes, it would command a premium. If Loveless could be identified it would add additional value to it. The fact that the stamps are on a nice old silver Half Dollar doesn't hurt its value either. Although there aren't any Red Book or price guides for counterstamps I would guess its value somewhere at between $50 and $100...maybe even a little more. Finding out who Loveless is is the key. I'll do a little looking around to see if I come up with anything for you. Thanks for posting it. Bruce[/QUOTE]