1876 Counter stamped “N O” Newfoundland 50 cent piece….

[K1DDO1979]

Well I finally scratched a huge bucket lister off my list. It only took over ten years to do it. A Queen Victoria 50 cent piece. I found some other old half dollars over the years but couldn’t seem to nail a Vicky. I was super surprised to see it come out then was excited again to see it had a counter stamp. I thought that was cool alone. Little did I know it turned out the stamp made it a sought after coin at auctions. The little counter stamp was a
”N O” which stood for Nils Ohman. He was originally from Sweden and moved to St. John’s, Newfoundland. He stayed until as late as December of 1897 then moved to Montréal, where he died at the age of 92 on March 21, 1936. During this time he set up as a jeweller, watchmaker, and optician in addition to being a stamp dealer, coin dealer, and engraver. Despite a bankruptcy in Newfoundland, he would become a Commissioner of the Superior Court of Montréal, which is a considerable achievement. So not only did I find a bucket list coin. I got it with a good date and a great counter mark. I couldn’t be happier. Plus I got a nice half of a Victorian British military buckle and some other old coppers. I searched hard for the other half of the buckle but had no luck. I hope it turns up because a compete two piece military buckle like that one is also on the my bucket list. Thanks for looking! 😁👍

Here’s a link with some info on the coins counter mark…

The Newfoundland Counterstamped Coins of Nils Ohman

Geoffrey Bell Auctions Ltd. sales have achieved a reputation for offering scarce material beyond typical Canadian decimal coins and paper money; tokens and medals are two examples of where the firm…

gbellauctions.wordpress.com

 

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[Silvermonkey]

Congrats on scratching this one off your bucket list! Beautiful coin. Thanks for sharing the back story on the counter stamp. Always fun to learn something new. Hope you can find the other half of that buckle. The first have is lovely!

 

[Whynotnow?]

Those are some great finds. My favorite part of this hobby is learning little bits of history like that, thanks!

 

[K1DDO1979]

Those are some great finds. My favorite part of this hobby is learning little bits of history like that, thanks!

Yes that’s some of the fun for sure. Here’s another little interesting old article…

 

[pepperj]

Now can anyone say BANNER! Truly that's a great piece of history recovered. Congratulations

Well done on the buckle as well, the coppers are taking a backseat on this one.

 

[K1DDO1979]

Now can anyone say BANNER! Truly that's a great piece of history recovered. Congratulations

Well done on the buckle as well, the coppers are taking a backseat on this one.

Wow thank you. I got a good source that believes because of older auction trends,condition,date and rarity this coin stamp it could value it around $1000 cdn give or take at auction. Guess won’t know because I won’t sell! 😁

 

[DigToChina]

Seriously? On the Friday of Victoria Day Long weekend? That’s 100% a Banner. Has my vote.

 

[oldmxrat]

That's just an awesome bunch of finds, congrats!
The half is super cool. Sure hope you can locate the other half of that buckle, but if not you've got the better half of it!

 

[Digger RJ]

Well I finally scratched a huge bucket lister off my list. It only took over ten years to do it. A Queen Victoria 50 cent piece. I found some other old half dollars over the years but couldn’t seem to nail a Vicky. I was super surprised to see it come out then was excited again to see it had a counter stamp. I thought that was cool alone. Little did I know it turned out the stamp made it a sought after coin at auctions. The little counter stamp was a
”N O” which stood for Nils Ohman. He was originally from Sweden and moved to St. John’s, Newfoundland. He stayed until as late as December of 1897 then moved to Montréal, where he died at the age of 92 on March 21, 1936. During this time he set up as a jeweller, watchmaker, and optician in addition to being a stamp dealer, coin dealer, and engraver. Despite a bankruptcy in Newfoundland, he would become a Commissioner of the Superior Court of Montréal, which is a considerable achievement. So not only did I find a bucket list coin. I got it with a good date and a great counter mark. I couldn’t be happier. Plus I got a nice half of a Victorian British military buckle and some other old coppers. I searched hard for the other half of the buckle but had no luck. I hope it turns up because a compete two piece military buckle like that one is also on the my bucket list. Thanks for looking! 😁👍

Here’s a link with some info on the coins counter mark…

The Newfoundland Counterstamped Coins of Nils Ohman

Geoffrey Bell Auctions Ltd. sales have achieved a reputation for offering scarce material beyond typical Canadian decimal coins and paper money; tokens and medals are two examples of where the firm…

gbellauctions.wordpress.com

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Very Nice!!!!!! Congrats!!!!

 

[unclemac]

Awesome! I have a nice Devin and Bolton but didn't know about these. My Canada collection is pretty deep.... but boy howdy those Bretons go on forever!

 

[K1DDO1979]

Seriously? On the Friday of Victoria Day Long weekend? That’s 100% a Banner. Has my vote.

That’s funny. I didn’t even clue in its Victoria Day weekend. 😂

 

[K1DDO1979]

Awesome! I have a nice Devin and Bolton but didn't know about these. My Canada collection is pretty deep.... but boy howdy those Bretons go on forever!

Very cool. My knowledge was basically zero on any counter stamps besides knowing what they are and what most of the purposes was for them. I bet you’re proud of your collections! 😁

 

[unclemac]

it is a deep well with no bottom!

 

[Almy]

Wow! What a coin and in such good shape. Congratulations. Sometimes it's metal detecting and sometimes it's treasure finding!

 

[ironhorse]

Wow buddy when you come out you come out swinging!
Man that is some great finds and the Newfoundland c/s is a killer find!
Your sites are truly amazing!

 

[K1DDO1979]

Wow buddy when you come out you come out swinging!
Man that is some great finds and the Newfoundland c/s is a killer find!
Your sites are truly amazing!

Thanks. I’ve been eyeing this spot for years and finally nailed the permission. So far it’s producing great. Even the wife has some super finds coming out. Things have been busy so not as much swinging or posting as I’d like this year but I’m going to try a little harder to post some things up more often again! 😁👍

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

WOW !!!

 

[PullTabPete]

Amazing find and great backstory on the counterstamp.

Keep them coming.

 

[Mackaydon]

Seemingly, 'lost in the crowd' is the rarity of this 50-cent piece--even without the counterstamp. The mintage was only 28,000; the third rarest 50-cent piece minted in Newfoundland during its 50-year period of minting 50-cent coins). When compared to US mintage, one has to go back to 1891 to find a 50-cent piece with less mintage than the OP's coin.
Don in SoCal

 

[K1DDO1979]

Seemingly, 'lost in the crowd' is the rarity of this 50-cent piece--even without the counterstamp. The mintage was only 28,000; the third rarest 50-cent piece minted in Newfoundland during its 50-year period of minting 50-cent coins). When compared to US mintage, one has to go back to 1891 to find a 50-cent piece with less mintage than the OP's coin.
Don in SoCal

Great info thanks. 😁