Auction 47 Session One Closed (#2732196)

67 - 152/0 a R10 Raw UNC Details Nicely toned with 10% Red. Reverse is blank without rim and has three oak leaf shaped counterstamps joined at the tips in center. The one and only Patriotic used of the 1861 Benjamin Franklin die and apparently the Plate token for the 1982 4th edition, the 1993 4th revised and even the 2005 5th edition of the Patriotic book. However it was dropped from the listings in the 1993 4th revised edition without explanation and has not returned since with even its photo being excluded from the newest 6th edition. Our guess is this piece, likely Unique, and has not been readily available for study for many years and because the listing as a blank reverse was assumed to be a fabrication. This piece, however, would appear to be full weight and thickness with no sign of tampering, though the reverse show some natural roughness consistent an unstruck planchet. The oak leaves often have a military association but the configuration of these counterstamps is unique and remains a mystery. A very important rediscovery. From the Dave Bowers collection. Data: 61 grains, 19.1 mm. (3000-4000)