Counterstamps

WALLACE BARNES (curved) on an 1819 Matron Head large cent. Brunk B-306, Rulau CT-Br 1b. Host coin Very Good.

Wallace Barnes (1827-1893) was a manufacturer of clock springs who worked in Bristol, CT. Barnes made his springs from sheets of cast steel (a term used during the latter half of the 19th-century to signify crucible-made steel. The sheet steel was likely rolled out from crucible-cast ingots). The Wallace Barnes Company, founded circa 1857, was located on Main Street. Its early production included crinoline hoops, clock springs and a variety of other springs. The company later became known as The Associated Spring Corporation. When Wallace passed away in 1893, his son Carlyle took over the company. The company is still in business today after more than 150 years. The date of this example is not reported by Brunk.

From the Steve M. Tompkins Collection.

Estimate: $ 175