During the 19th century counterstamping of coinage was done as a means of advertising one’s business and also as a forerunner to the modern day shopping coupon.

Dr. George G. Wilkins was the most prolific counterstamper of coins in the United States during the mid-1800s. Estimates range to more than 100,000 coins, mostly large cents and small cents. He seems to have stamped everything crossing his path, though no silver dollars or gold coins are known.

There are two different styles of counterstamps: Large letters with very little space between the “N” and “S” of Wilkins, small letters with full space between the “N” and “S” of Wilkins.

This 1856 Liberty seated dime is one of the specimens not previously known. Examples were 1835 Bust Dimes, 1842, 1853, 1853 with arrows, and 1857. There are seven specimens recorded (known to exist).

This is why I continue to collect coins, medals, and tokens; new doors always open up to me after fifty years of collecting.

Resource: My personal coin collection and “United States Tokens” by Russell Rulau.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 17th, 2008 at 5:24 pm and is filed under Articles, Blog Entry, Coins & Currency. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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3 Responses to “Dr. G. G. Wilkins, Pittsfield, NH Counterstamp Coin Master”

1. Dennis says:

   May 23, 2009 at 2:16 pm

   Good afternoon,
   I writing to get any infomation you may have on an
   1816 matron head large cent stamped with a large 5 on
   the obverse. Any help would be great as I would like
   to know some of the history behind this coin.
   Thank you,
   Dennis

   Reply
2. paul says:

   February 20, 2010 at 9:37 pm

   hello, have a couple of questions about a certin coin I have
   it is a 1857 flying eagle penny and is counterstamped dr.g.g.wilkins like the coin above.The first is already answered by this web site witch was the history of the counterstamping,and the secound,is its value?It is in great shape!all words and numbers visable! thanks

   paul…

   Reply
3. Dave says:

   January 8, 2012 at 1:08 pm

   I have a one cent with DR.G.G.WILKINS stamp on it 1858. I would like to know value

   Reply

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