Washingtoniana

Rare Washington/Lafayette Counterstamp on an 1822 Cent

1824 Lafayette Visit Medalet Dies by Joseph Lewis Overstruck on an 1822 Matron Head Cent. Musante GW-112-C3, Baker-198C. Copper. Host Coin Very Fine, Countermark EF.

Rare. This is one of the most famous, most desired counterstamps in American history. Only rarely is one of this superb quality offered. For the specialist in early American coppers, here is a showpiece par excellence! The dies for Joseph Lewis' Washington - Lafayette medalet are here neatly impressed into an 1822 large cent. This is an especially appealing example of this elusive type with bold portraits and legends all around. Of interest is that on opposite sides of the rim, at about 1 o'clock and 7 o'clock, grip marks are still visible from the tongs or pliers that were used to hold the coin as it was held in place for the counterstriking. This piece is one of the rarer items issued in honor of Lafayette's 1824 to 1825 tour of America during which he was feted with celebrations and parades in all 24 states of the Union. At that time, approaching our country's 50th anniversary, he was received with acclaim as the last surviving Revolutionary War commander, and the business of producing various souvenirs as he travelled throughout the country was brisk. The dies used to produce this counterstamp were originally cut to strike tiny 14.5 mm medalets that were worn suspended from a length of ribbon or mounted into more ornate pendants to be worn at parades, balls, dinners and other events along Lafayette's route. All of these are scarce to rare. At some point these medal dies were used to produce counterstamps on various coins dated from 1820 to 1824, and they are, as a class, of even greater rarity than the medals. In addition to Lafayette's prominent role in the American Revolution, the American ideals of independence and democracy he fought for returned with him to France, and Lafayette became a key figure in the French Revolution of 1789 and the July Revolution of 1830. Lafayette's regard for America is perhaps best revealed in the name he chose for his son -- Georges Washington de Lafayette -- and in the fact that when he died in 1834 he was buried in Paris, but under soil he had brought back with him from Bunker Hill. For his accomplishments in the service of the two countries he loved he is sometimes known as "The Hero of the Two Worlds."

From our sale of the Q. David Bowers Collection, November 2017 Baltimore Auction, lot 87. Lot tag and collector tag included.

Estimate: $ 3000