The E-Sylum:  Volume 11, Number 8, February 24, 2008, Article 20

MORE ON THE OHIO TOMPKINS 'COUNTERFEIT HOUSE'

Regarding last week's items about the Ohio 'Counterfeit
House', Steve Tompkins writes: "I have always been intrigued
about the story behind this house, as my last name happens
to be Tompkins. Whether I am related to this family is
something I have not been able to determine, but wouldn't
that be interesting!

"I first learned of the counterfeiter house due to my
collecting of Capped Bust Half Dollars. I collect more
than just the main series of coins and have for many years
gravitated to the extraneous or odd items related to the
bust half series. These items include Love Token or
engraved pieces, errors of all types, counterstamped
examples and contemporary counterfeits.

"I, along with many other bust half collectors, was delighted
when a book was published specifically about the counterfeit
pieces. Money Tree Press published “Contemporary Counterfeit
Capped Bust Half Dollars” by Keith R. Davignon, in 1996.
This was a first attempt to document and catalog the many
examples found by collectors over the years and explore
some of the history surrounding these enigmatic pieces of
Americana.

" 'The Legend of The Counterfeit House' begins on page 29
and includes a picture of the house itself as well as a
picture of Oliver and Ann Tompkins. While this section is
somewhat brief, it refers the reader to an original story
by John W. Hansford printed in the Wonderful World of Ohio
magazine that was reprinted in Hearthstone Collection of
Folklore, Nostalgia, and History published by Infinity
Press and publications, Ironton, Ohio.

"While this may not be the authoritative publication about
the house, it is the only reference in a numismatic publication
that I am aware of.

"On a side note, Keith has been working towards a second
edition, hopefully to be published soon, and perhaps there
will be an expansion of the counterfeit house story!"

 STORM DAMAGE HITS LANDMARK OHIO 'COUNTERFEIT HOUSE'
 esylum_v11n07a27.html

 EXCERPT: THE COUNTERFEIT HOUSE FROM BRIAN STARK'S 'GETTING TO THE POINT'
 esylum_v11n07a28.html

[You people know too much!  You expose me as One Who Doesn't
Remember All the Great Stuff In His Own Numismatic Books.  A
hardbound copy of the Davignon book was sitting on a shelf
beside me.  Mocking me!  Mocking me, I say!  I pulled it down
and read the brief story.  Nice pictures, although I'd love to
see more.  -Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization 
promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor 
at this address: whomren@coinlibrary.com

To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum