Counterstamps

W. THOMSON in a box punch on an 1819 Matron Head large cent. Brunk T-236, Rulau-E NY-900. Host coin Good.

There is a William Thomson listed by Brunk and Rulau, who was a silversmith working in New York City from 1810 to 1833 and this may be his stamp. However, the only stamp shown for him has cursive letters in a box punch with first name rendered as Wm, while those found on this example are block letters and only show a W. Even so, many smiths used multiple stamps over the years they were active and those stamps rarely are exactly the same. In fact, one web site shows a mark that is cursive, but with only a W. for the first name. This may be the final transition of his stamp and therefore this attribution is most likely correct. He was located at 177 Broadway and at 129 William Street in 1824 to 1833.

From the Steve M. Tompkins Collection.

Estimate: $ 175