Counterstamps

California--Sacramento. J.L. POLHEMUS / (mortar and pestle) / DRUGGIST / 190 J. ST. COR. 7TH / SACRAMENTO CAL. on the obverse of an 1834 Capped Bust half dollar. Brunk P-563, Miller-Calif 1AA. Host coin About Good.

Rich light to medium gray patina to smooth and problem-free surfaces. A famous and popular Gold Rush-related counterstamp that Rulau (2004) dates to 1856-1857. This host coin is not listed in the 2003 edition of the Brunk reference on this series, although Rulau lists a unique 1834 Capped Bust half dollar host with the J.L. Polhemus counterstamp, presumably the present example. Rare and exciting.

From the Q. David Bowers Collection. Earlier ex Alan Weinberg Collection, discovered 1996 (presumably); Anthony Terranova; our (Stack's) sale of the Anthony Terranova Collection, September-October 2010 Philadelphia Americana Sale, lot 5123. Lot tag and collector envelope included.

Estimate: 1000