Counterstamps

BY R. PAINE / SPRINGFIELD six times / US / TA counterstamped on the both sides of an 1834 Matron Head large cent. Brunk P-90 var., Rulau-Mass 521 var. Host coin Good.

Richard Paine (b. 1806) worked as an arms inspector and an engraver in Springfield, MA. In 1845 he was listed as a "Stamp Cutter, Die Sinker and Inspector of Arms" and up to 1848 he worked as a navy arms inspector. Along with engraving, he also made mechanical perpetual calendar medals and steel embossing dies for corner cards, popular in the 1850s. Examples are found with just R. Paine, By R. Paine, By R. Paine / Springfield and some with many different symbols or animals added. This example with the combination of stamps is unlisted and is the only example known.

From the Steve M. Tompkins Collection.

Estimate: $ 200