Neat counterstamped large cent.

[3steven2]

I picked up an interesting large cent with eight hearts with Ts stamped on the coin. The reverse is a large cent. Has anyone seen anything like this? I will try to add some photographs.lc 001.jpglc 002.jpglc 003.jpglc 004.jpg

[copperhobbie]

Looks like a practice piece, somebody was trying out thier new stamp or stamping skills.
Randy

[3steven2]

Thank you Randy.

[Chautauquan]

I suspect that Randy's guess is most plausible. This appears to be a hallmark such as a skilled metal worker would use. I have a number of books on silversmiths, but I don't see any similar mark as yet. There were many silversmiths having the surname Hart, and I had a whimsical thought that this MIGHT be an issue of someone named "T. Hart." I've found no prospects as yet, though. The search continues ...... Neat item!

[3steven2]

Thank you Chautauquan for your literate reply. What I noticed about the coin was that the stamps were well aged. Perhaps as old as the period of the coin. Also, a penny had value. Not to be tossed in a box after practicing with a punch. Lastly, if a tradesman were practicing with a new punch, he would have used both sides of the coin and punched the coin more randomly. Or? People like you are the reason I joined eac and I will keep an eye out for tokens and stamped items.