I just won these from the Stacks & Bowers septemeber 2011 Philadelphia Americana Sale - Session One... Lot #660. P. E. BALLOU / PHRENOLOGIST on a U.S. two cent piece. Brunk B-236. Rulau Mi-Bn 2. Host coin Good. Description: Circular prepared punch; deep impression obliterates date. Nicely applied and attractive. A popular mark. Consignor comments and research notes: Perry Eugene Ballou was a traveling lecturer on phrenology. This is an unlisted specimen, though the mark is known on other two-cent pieces From our sale of the Frederick B. Taylor Collection, March 1987, Lot 1262. Interesting note: Phenology: The study of the shape and protuberances of the skull, based on the now discredited belief that they reveal character and mental capacity
Lot #750. LYON CUTLERY CO. (obv.) ATLANTIC CUTLERY CO. (rev,) on an 1870 Shield nickel. Brunk unlisted. Rulau unlisted. Host coin VG. Description: The Lyon company seems to have been in business circa 1880, according to a reference on Pocket Knife Identification, Blade’s Guide to Knives and Their Values, while Atlantic Cutlery seems to have been a German firm in operation from 1898 to 1914. Prepared punches.
Lot #759. G. MINDEMAN on an 1909 Lincoln cent. Brunk M-735. Rulau unlisted. Host coin EF, but corroded. Description: Consignor comments and research notes: George Mindeman was an Albion, Michigan confidence man, swindler and probable jewel thief. Frank Passic wrote a great article for the Michigan State Numismatic Society about Mindeman and his rare “Good For” tokens, of which just two known specimens were listed. This counterstamp may be rarer still (just this coin listed in Brunk). A copy of the article is included. Undoubtedly one of the most interesting counterstamps on a post 1900 coin, likely to rise in value as the coin “ages” into the next century.
Lot #766. N. P. EX. CO. (3 times obv) WALLACE (3 times rev) on an 1870 Seated quarter. Brunk P-31. Rulau Id-Wc-3. Host coin Fine, but nearly obliterated by the marks. Description: An unusual looking piece from the Northern Pacific Express Company. The only piece referenced by Rulau. Consignor comments and research notes: This coin has the rare marks of Northern Pacific Express Co., which operated in the Idaho, Montana and Dakota Territories. This coin is unique with the Wallace, ID imprint on the reverse. One of just five specimens known of all kinds from N. P. EX. CO. A great Western piece. From Charles Kirtley’s sale of May 23, 2000, Lot C479
Lot #793. FREE TICKET TO / YANKEE / ROBINSONS / QUADRUPLE - SHOW on an 1843 Seated half dollar. Brunk R-415. Rulau Oh-Ci 180. Host coin Choice VF. Description: Circular prepared punch. Nicely executed, and a fine example of this classic American countermark. A pair of related Civil War tokens by this issuer are also included. Consignor comments and research notes: This piece is a high end specimen, with fewer broken letters in the punch than other examples seen.
Very high-end counterstamps jhinton...congratulations on winning them. I especially like the N.P. Ex. Co. stamp with the additional "Wallace" stamp on the reverse. The "Wallace" refers to the town in Idaho where the line had a depot in case you're not aware of that. The "Yankee Robinson" is a great piece also and extremely well struck as well as being on a high grade S/L Half. As the cosignor indicates, it's better than many examples of the Robinson counterstamps. I've seen a number of them over the years, and yours is the nicest by far. What's also special about the lot is the addition of two of his CWT's to the group. As you may know, I love counterstamps and appreciate seeing ones of this high quality. Thanks for posting. Bruce
Congrat's Joe!!! I knew you'd win them!! I'm glad that you got the cutlery/cutlery piece!! I guess no "Dunk the Druggist" though?
Thanks, I guess I have you to thank for these anyway. I would not have known about the auction if it was not for Zach and I am guessing you had something to do with his interest in Counter-stamped coins to begin with. I also did not know about the Wallace stamp. Thanks again! Joseph