Let's see your exonumia!

I was happy to get the Devins & Bolton stamp after all these years, Bill. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything else at the show, so this one was the highlight. Not bad though, I've had worse shows.

I researched the JEC & Co stamp quite a few years ago, and found several possibilities, but none were a lock. I thought for awhile it might be the silversmith J.E. Caldwell & Co. but gradually gave up on that one because of the confusion. Caldwell was from Philadelphia, but at the time I wasn't aware of the Baltimore stamp on some examples. There was just too many possibilities.

The Georgia Minstrels stamp is an important one, and a great catch. Brunk's latest shows 18 examples known, all on Half Dollars. It's a great piece and well struck and centered. I don't recall offhand seeing one offered before, but I may have missed it if it were. Great additions, Bill.

Bruce

 

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Sorry to hear that you didn't find more than the one c/s at the show. The GS Show is a fairly large one, is it not? My last large show was the Blue Ridge event in Georgia. I came home with but one c/s from that large show, being all I could find! The counterstamps, decent ones, seem to be drying up; particularly so, the classic ones from the 1800's.

Do you have a J.E.C. & Co. c/s, Bruce? I did some cursory research and thought Caldwell to be a possibe issuer, along with two other prospects. I'll get around to more astutely studying that one in time. There seem to be others that are more on the front burner right now.

I've been trying to avoid purchasing too many mavericks, as the research is ever so time consuming. I caved on the J.E.C. & Co. / Balto piece because knowing the town is a major clue for attribution. The maverick I bought at the Georgia show was only $20, and I simply liked the look of it (shield - regimental?). Here it is ...

 

Thanks Bruce - I'm not familiar with how Brunk lists counter stamps. Is there any info on the issuer, or just known examples?

 

No info, jester, just the one listed piece. I'll take a look around for you when I get the chance and see if I can find anything.

Bruce

 

Considering the wear on this CWT, Jester, it appears to me that the c/s was applied much later. Generally speaking, I've found that the later a counterstamp was applied, the more difficult it is to attribute a piece. For this reason, I tend to prefer collecting the early to mid 1800's pieces.

I found that one William S. Elwin was a member of the N.E.P.A. or National Electro-Platers' Association, having attended a banquet The banquet was held at the Broadway Central Hotel on Feb. 21, 1913 with 261 members present, being over three times the prior year's attendance. This info was published in a professional journal called "The Metal Industry", vol. 2, no. 3.

I found a William S. Elwin listed as a painter in an 1882-83 Salem, Mass. directory. This may be the same chap, working thirty years prior. Yet another, or the same William S. Elwin was living in Woodstock, NY, Ulster County, in 1899; this, per a government listing of military and civil service registrants. Finally, Wm. S. Elwin may have attended Amherst College, given a snippet I encountered in my search.

While none of this amounts to a slam dunk ID, there are some leads here that may perhaps be tied together. The name is apparently a rare one, leading me to suspect that the electroplater could well be the issuer. Perhaps, he was a coin collector, too, and gave his stamped coins/tokens away as personal calling cards; this, akin to the practice of numismatist, Jim E. Skalbe of Boston. Although frustrating at times, much fun can often be had, sleuthing these mysterious counterstamps. Have at it then, Jester.

 

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Communion token Alexander Va. reproduction

 

Oooo, I saw that one (or at least the same medal type if not the actual same medal) on ebay recently. Was VERY tempted. That is an awesome one!


A new one for me:

Sweden/Exploring of East/West Africa. I've been looking for the 1826 London Zoological medal that happens to have a giraffe (love 'em) and a stork (duh) on it. Ran across this one...different species of stork, but still good.

 

The GSNA show is a decent sized one, but no more than 70 or 80 dealers, Bill. The good thing for me is that it attracts dealers I don't always see at other venues. Somerset is very close to New York, so dealers from there and North Jersey attend. It's fun to go to, but isn't usually productive for me.

No, I don't have a J.E.C. & Co. stamp. I've seen a few over the years, but it was never an issue I really had to have, so passed on bidding.

I've always liked the Shield / 16 counterstamp, and have often wondered who issued it, and its purpose. I've always felt there was a military connection, but could never find a match. I would have paid $20 for it for sure. That's a nice snag for only a Jackson, Bill.

Bruce

 

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Nice one! Is it antiqued silver?

 

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Circus Circus vegas

 

Very nice I do like like anything railroad related

 

If you like old railroad exonumia, I will post pics below.

 

Freight agent business cards and railroad employee passes

 

More railroad agent cards

 

Really cool agent cards and maps! Neat to see the Grand Trunk map - any date on it? I run in and out of the old GTW Lang Yard in Toledo, pictured on the map.

 

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DAV state commander

 

No date, but the phone number is only Main and 3 digits. My guess is 50's at the latest.

 

It's not mine, just a favorite medal I like. It does look antiqued though.