"Grand Pretensions": "W.H. Vanderbilt" carved on 1826 Capped Bust half dollar

"Grand Pretensions": "W.H. Vanderbilt" carved on 1826 Capped Bust half dollar



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Host coin: 1826 USA Capped Bust half dollar.
Obverse: unaltered except for "W.H. Vanderbilt" graffito in left obverse field.
Reverse: original eagle design, unaltered.

Ex- "lbandrc" (eBay)

Is it really possible this coin once belonged to famous 19th century railroad tycoon William Henry Vanderbilt (1821-1885)?

Sure, it's possible.

Is it probable? Not very.

But even if the engraving is a fantasy, it could be an old fantasy, from his lifetime. He was very rich and famous, after all, so anyone with a bit of time on their hands could’ve carved his name into a coin and perhaps concocted some crazy story or scheme to go with it. Or I’ll admit it’s even possible that somebody in more recent times did the same thing. My personal suspicions are that the carving is old, but let’s just say I’m not convinced the coin had anything to do with W.H. Vanderbilt personally.

But considering I acquired this piece for about 1/3 less than the regular G4 price of an 1826 Bust half dollar, I saw no reason at all not to include it in my Oddball collection.

You must admit it's intriguing. Fantasy love token? I'm OK with that.

Real Vanderbilt relic from his early days? Wow, wouldn't that be neat!

Either way, I was happy with it, though this piece has since gone on to reside in a good friend's collection.

This was formerly part of my old Engraved/Counterstamped/Oddball Type Set.