CM Berry Saloon Token

[Colonial KirkPA]

Hey, dudes, I wanted to post one of my favorite tokens. I found it at an oooold area at a depth of 5". The target was buried deeply under numerous large rocks.

As stated by an expert, "Casper M. Berry was listed as an "agent" at 555 South Second Street in Philadelphia, PA in 1848. However, his saloon was located at the corner of Chesnut and Fifth Streets. Rich Hartzog's current price guide to Brunk's Merchant and Privately Countermarked Coins lists the "Chesnut Saloon" countermarked coins at $150-250."

It is counterstamped on a 2-Reales. Just think what I thought when I dug it, "Spanish wilver!" Then, when I saw what happened to it, "Oh ***k!" Then, when I read more about this CM Berry dude, "Hell yeah!"

Keep the passion high, dudes!

BDD...Kirk

P.S. Pardon the other wilver coins in the pic.

 

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[stevesno]

Very cool and unique. I wonder how many were made?....Steve

 

[Colonial KirkPA]

Very cool and unique. I wonder how many were made?....Steve

I don't know how many they stamped. I bet there are quite a few under the sidewalks on those streets.

BDD...Kirk

 

[BuckleBoy]

An interesting post and a great find, bud. Do you know what type of coin was most frequently counterstamped by them? If they were a mid-1800's business, I would imagine they'd have used Seated coins much more frequently than Reales...although reales were in circulation until then. Cool!

-Buckleboy

 

[Colonial KirkPA]

An interesting post and a great find, bud. Do you know what type of coin was most frequently counterstamped by them? If they were a mid-1800's business, I would imagine they'd have used Seated coins much more frequently than Reales...although reales were in circulation until then. Cool!

-Buckleboy

Buck,

I don't know which coins they mostly counterstamped. The 2-Reales has no detail, so I am guessing it is from the 1770s. It was carried for a long time.

What makes this counterstamp even more interesting is the fact that it was found about 3 hours from Philly. So, some dude had a drink at the saloon, got the token in change, and ventured his way to Williamsport, PA. LMAO In the future, he then tripped down a hill and the token dropped out of his pocket.

BDD...Kirk

 

[CRUSADER]

An interesting post and a great find, bud. Do you know what type of coin was most frequently counterstamped by them? If they were a mid-1800's business, I would imagine they'd have used Seated coins much more frequently than Reales...although reales were in circulation until then. Cool!

-Buckleboy

Buck,

I don't know which coins they mostly counterstamped. The 2-Reales has no detail, so I am guessing it is from the 1770s. It was carried for a long time.

What makes this counterstamp even more interesting is the fact that it was found about 3 hours from Philly. So, some dude had a drink at the saloon, got the token in change, and ventured his way to Williamsport, PA. LMAO In the future, he then tripped down a hill and the token dropped out of his pocket.

BDD...Kirk

Nice item. I have a few countermarked coins both silver & coppers. They were done at a similar period over here - mid 19th century.

Remember with your theory, that the guy/girl that got the token from the saloon may not be the one who lost it. Could have passed many hands & many miles.

 

[skierbob]

Kool find there, Kirk.
Bob

 

[Colonial Zoyboy]

An interesting post and a great find, bud. Do you know what type of coin was most frequently counterstamped by them? If they were a mid-1800's business, I would imagine they'd have used Seated coins much more frequently than Reales...although reales were in circulation until then. Cool!

-Buckleboy

Buck,

I don't know which coins they mostly counterstamped. The 2-Reales has no detail, so I am guessing it is from the 1770s. It was carried for a long time.

What makes this counterstamp even more interesting is the fact that it was found about 3 hours from Philly. So, some dude had a drink at the saloon, got the token in change, and ventured his way to Williamsport, PA. LMAO In the future, he then tripped down a hill and the token dropped out of his pocket.

BDD...Kirk

Nice item. I have a few countermarked coins both silver & coppers. They were done at a similar period over here - mid 19th century.

Remember with your theory, that the guy/girl that got the token from the saloon may not be the one who lost it. Could have passed many hands & many miles.

Thanks, dugfinds, it is a unique find.

BDD...Kirk

 

[Colonial KirkPA]

Dugfinds,

That was me saying that. Zoy and I need different computers.

BDD...Kirk

 

[Don in SJ]

Great Relic Kirk, one question though, how do you know it is a Spanish Two Reale and not a foreign or US silver coin? Size, weight, some tell-tale detail left on it?? Curious minds want to know.
Oh, dang that thing is dirty!!

Don

 

[Colonial KirkPA]

Great Relic Kirk, one question though, how do you know it is a Spanish Two Reale and not a foreign or US silver coin? Size, weight, some tell-tale detail left on it?? Curious minds want to know.
Oh, dang that thing is dirty!!

Don

Don,

It is the size of a U.S. quarter. It is thin, like a worn 2-Reales. Also, on the other side, there is some smaaalllll detail, but very difficult to see. This detail indicates it is Spanish.

Just like John Walter would state, "Noooo, I don't clean my coins. It devalues the value!"

BDD...Kirk

 

[Colonial KirkPA]

Don, here is a picture of one. I also saw one that was counterstamped on a 1774 two reales.

BDD...KirkPA

 

[Derek752]

I musta missed this token post ...NICE token !
Interesting trip it took from Philly to Williamsport.
I wonder whats at Chesnut & 5th now ?

Merry Merry !

D.

 

[birdman]

One of the best I have seen!

 

[The Bulgarian]

Cool find mate.I liked WTG.

 

[Baldingboy]

Super nice find there Kirk!