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Message:: [QUOTE="BRandM, post: 2465624, member: 22729"]That's a tough one, Paddy. Your guess of a peacock feather is as good as any I can think of. It's possible that the feather, if that's what it is, represents a person's last name. Counterstampers call such a device a rebus, where words or names are  represented by either a picture, or a picture/letter combination. For example, if a man's name were James Cannon, he might stamp his coins with a letter "J" followed by a stamped image of a cannon. Just a clever way of representing himself, I suppose. Your issuer might be named Peacock or Feather then. Just a wild guess, but that's the best I can come up with. Looks like the date of your coin is 1696, as I see a "6" underneath and to the right of the counterstamp. One more thing I noticed on the obverse is what looks to be a small leaf? stamped over the face. It may just be damage, but you could get a better read on that than I can. Also, in the area where the ear would be shows a very faint saw-toothed mark, similar to what you might see in a craftsman's makers stamp. The very edge of a depression with the raised letters of a name or initial. I don't see any letters, but they may be worn off. I'm probably reading too much into this coin, but if you could take a second look at it under high magnification, I'd appreciate it. You never know. Thanks, Paddy Bruce[/QUOTE]