1802 LARGE CENT... NEED HELP

lovedigging · Aug 31, 2008

First of all, I want to thank my brother, DCooper1, for finding this spot and letting me hunt it before he even had a chance to hunt it himself. Got away for the weekend and hit an old homesite dating back to the early 1800's. Every few sweeps with my White's DFX hit a signal. You could tell it had never been hit before. Actually there were so many signals, I had to pick my targets that I wanted to dig since my time was limited. This morning I was there for about an hour and the first thing I dug was the large cent. I wasn't sure what I had until I got back to the cabin and was able to clean it up. Can someone please help identify the engraving in the center of the coin? I've never seen anything like this before, but could it be a makers mark? If so, who is it and what is the purpose? Any information would be much appreciated.
Just before I had to leave, I dug the 1923 coin, It was everything I could do to get in my truck and leave but I hope soon my brother and I can spend a full day at this sight! Hope you enjoy the pictures.

whitesPA · Sep 1, 2008

love token . love thec silver dollar !!

Derek752 · Sep 1, 2008

Conrats Tcooper AWESOME Lg Cent love token :icon_thumright:

Not easy finding virgin sites like the one you found ... dig everything - EVERYTHING !! You have months of fun ahead of ya !! :occasion18:

Sweet Peace dollar as well !!

Derek :icon_king:

Iron Patch · Sep 1, 2008

oddcoins said:
I don't think would be considered a LOVE TOKEN. A love token is a coin that's been ornately engraved. This piece looks like it has a counter strike or has been counter stamped. These coins are very collectable too! NICE FIND!!!

I agree, and there are examples of such. (Counterstamped in a heart)

That's good news because you can often ID private/merchant stamps, very seldom will a love token tell you much unless the context of the find gives a clue.

Iron Patch · Sep 1, 2008

xlt nh said:
I've found a few counter-stamped LC's, but none with a heart. Mainly a flower design or letters.

HH, Hank 8)

There are thousands, wouldn't rule anything out.

If you search the word "Heart" off this page there are 3 or 4 hits, unfortunately none match the coin above.

http://www.exonumia.com/art/cmb.htm

Colonial Zoyboy · Sep 1, 2008

I love that countermarked Draped Bust largie. I live for those kind of finds, and dream of them every metal datecting night! :icon_sunny:

Now, get back out to that site, dig everything that pertains to America's early history, and post those goodies for us to view! You rock, buddy, you rock!!! :thumbsup:

Kyle

Nick A · Sep 1, 2008

Counterstamped. A love token would be hand engraved and this is not engraved. You can see it is stamped/punched because the side opposite the stamp is mashed flat. (i.e. you can't read the words "ONE CENT" in the middle of the wreath). I know it LOOKS like a love token, but this was definitely struck with a steel die.

"Counterstamped coins are turned into advertising tokens by use of a metal punch usually with raised letters, which is then struck to stamp the coin. Occasionally the punch has incised lettering producing a counterstamp in relief. Most counterstamps are produced from a punch with all the letters on the same stamp, while some are punched out with individual letters."

Great find, as is the peace dollar. Congratulations.

Mr_Mojo_Risin · Sep 2, 2008

Mos def a love token. Love the Peace dollar! Great finds. You have a good bro !

romeo-1 · Sep 2, 2008

Mr_Mojo_Risin said:
Mos def a love token. Love the Peace dollar! Great finds. You have a good bro !

Nope...counterstamped merchant's token...

Nice find!

dgaughan · Sep 2, 2008

truly awesome find congrats and good luck

daytondigger · Sep 2, 2008

Killer finds, congratulations. I've never dug a "silver" silver dollar either. The counterstamped large cent is truly a piece of history, well done!! :thumbsup: