Counterstamps

MOULTON in a serrated box punch counterstamped on the obverse and a (circle with X) on an 1802 Draped Bust large cent. Brunk M-941, Rulau MASS-49. Host coin About Good.

It is unknown exactly which of the Moulton silversmithing family used this particular punch, but a good candidate is Ebenezer Noyes Moulton (1768-1824), as he was one of the few in the family to use just his last name. He was the son of Joseph and grandson of William Moulton I. He worked 1790 to 1820 as a silversmith and jeweler in different Boston, MA shops at various addresses on Cornhill until 1806, when he settled at Number 3 South Row. He was involved with the gold Washington funeral medals in some capacity. These medals were intended to be placed in lockets and were made for the funeral processions in early 1800 after George Washington's death. Ebenezer moved back to his hometown of Newburyport in 1820, working there as a silversmith until his death in 1824.

From the Steve M. Tompkins Collection.

Estimate: $ 200