French Colony gold Contemporary Counterfeit Counterstamped/Regulated 22 Livres ND (after 1805) AU (Scratched), Prid-41, Gordon-Fraud B. 17mm. 1.77gm. Host coin: genuine Portugal João V 800 Reis 1729 (cf. KM218). Counterstamp: 22 over eagle (counterfeit). A highly intriguing piece, not least as the original legislation of 26 September 1805 does not call for countermarks such as this to be applied to minor gold coins, but only 4000 and 6400 Reis. It has been supposed that this mark--which features a dividing line between the upper portion containing the numerals 22 and the lower portion containing the eagle--was produced after 1805. Pridmore cites a single other example of this date (Jacques Schulman February 1914, Lot 387), with another example on a 1600 Reis (Escudo) 1751-dated host in the Garrett Collection (Part I, NFA-Bank Leu May 1984, Lot 1223). Both examples demonstrate an provenance back to the early 20th century, though it remains uncertain when this faulty stamp was applied. We would note that this specimen was mistakenly cited as the abovementioned Schulman piece during the Eliasberg sale, which was, however, badly bent and showed an obscured final digit in the date. Ex. Eliasberg Collection (American Numismatic Rarities April 2005, Lot 3007); John H. Clapp Estate to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., 1942

HID09801242017

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