Here's a selection of interesting or unusual items I came across in the marketplace this week. Tell us what you think of some of these.
-Editor
Calabria Didrachm
Calabria. Tarent.
Didrachm or Nomos (silver). Approx. 240-228 BC Chr.
Vs: Naked youth on horseback riding to the right with his arm raised; between the legs of the Magistrate of Philocles; two monograms in the fields.
Rs: Naked Taras with trident on dolphin riding to the left, holding a rhyton in his right; in the field on the right two Loutrophoroi side by side.
20 mm. 6.61 g.
HN Italy 1057; Vlasto 950 Coll.
Excellent.
From the upcoming Solidus sale. Google-translated.
-Editor
To read the complete lot description, see:
Lot 27. Kalabrien. Tarent.
(https://www.sixbid.com/en/solidus-numismatik/8238/griechische-mnzen/6798610/kalabrien-tarent)
1816 U.S. Large Cent Rhode Island Counterstamps
1816 U.S. Large Cent
Counterstamp "PASSMORE / SMITHFIELD"
The two countermarks are stamped perpendicular to (and across) each other. Both punches are raised letters in relief, but each has a different style. The first letter of each punch is partly off the coin.
Research Notes:
Comstock Passmore (1781 - 1825) is listed as working in Smithfield, Rhode Island from 1805-1825. He made scythes, he succeeded Elisha Bartlett, and he was succeeded by Otis Bartlett (who also countermarked coins).
The two countermarks were probably made for stamping onto the scythes that they manufactured.
Issuer: Comstock Passmore
Occupation: Scythe Works [Factory / Workshop]
Date of issue: 1816-1825
Place of issue: Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island
Brunk P-193.
Great counterstamp with a super history. Counterstamps are rarely so large and pronounced. The piece clearly shows the expected wear pattern on the reverse, evidence of post-stamping circulation. From the eBay offerings of Bob Merchant.
-Editor
To read the complete lot description, see:
1816 U.S. Large Cent, Counterstamp "PASSMORE / SMITHFIELD" Early Rhode Island
(https://www.ebay.com/itm/1816-U-S-Large-Cent-Counterstamp-PASSMORE-SMITHFIELD-Early-Rhode-Island/133664920706)
1900 Boxer Rebellion Medal
The reverse design of the China Medal echoes the Orient as is appropriate seeing it was awarded to British and Imperial forces for action during the 'Boxer Rebellion' of 1900. Western missionaries and Chinese Christians were under attack from a group calling themselves the 'Righteous and Harmonious Fists,' or the 'Boxers' for short, who had set out to ruthlessly destroy Western cultural and religious influence in China. Nine countries, including Britain and Australia were keen to maintain their profitable commercial interests in China and so sent military forces ostensibly to protect their citizens and quell the uprising. The China Medal in our sale was awarded to W.H. LITTLEFIELD. A.B. H.M.S ARETHUSA who was one of over 8000 British recipients and, like most people returning from war, he would have counted his lucky stars that he had survived to tell the tale.
Auctioned earlier this week in Australia.
-Editor
To read the complete lot description, see:
Lot 111: Australia/Britain. China War Medal, 1900. W.H. LITTLEFIELD./A.B./H.M.S. ARETHUSA', about Uncirculated
(https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/Australia-Britain.-China-War-Medal,-1900.-W.H.-LI-111-c-80A4BB19AB)
Wayne Homren, Editor
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