Counterstamps

(?)D NASON (curved) / (EAGLE) // CAST STEEL on an 1821 Matron Head large cent. Brunk-Unlisted, Rulau-Unlisted. Host coin Good.

A large and impressive stamp. Unfortunately it is weakly impressed on the left side, keeping us from seeing the full name. The style of the stamp and the addition of the eagle and the term "cast-steel" suggest either a tool maker or possibly a gun maker. There was a family of gunsmiths working in Maine during the 1860s with the last name of Nason, although we have no marks from them to compare. Another possibility is that the missing portion contains a second name with the D being the last letter of "and". There is a tool manufacturer named White and Nason that made cast steel axes and shovels, as well as one named Collins and Nason that made shovels. With a small amount of research the correct answer should emerge.

From the Steve M. Tompkins Collection.

Estimate: $ 175