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Message:: [QUOTE="BRandM, post: 2004711, member: 22729"][ATTACH=full]359793[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]359792[/ATTACH] A little unusual to see a counterstamp on a Bust Dime because they're so small. You can't fit much on them except for a stamp like this. Generally, the smaller sized ones are issued by silversmiths, jewelers, watch makers or another craftsman who manufactures small objects. This is one comes from a gold pen making firm named Walrath & Hutcheson of Syracuse, NY. From what I can tell from the small amount of information that I was able to piece together, the firm was in business only from about 1854 until 1861. The partnership succeeded Benedict & Barney in 1854 and seems to have dissolved in 1861 when the senior partner Ezra L. Walrath enlisted in the army. I found nothing, not even a first name, for the partner named Hutcheson. When Walrath separated from Civil War service in June, 1865 he returned to Syracuse and became the editor of a local newspaper. Later, in 1869 and continuing through 1870, he partnered in an insurance business with Richard F. Stevens (Stevens & Walrath). From 1871 and for many years after he was once more engaged in the gold pen manufacturing business. Apparently, he worked alone for the rest of his career. Walrath died in Syracuse on June 26, 1894 and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery. Bruce[/QUOTE]