(No Date) Token HT-C452, Philadelphia on 1815 25c PA

Coin Details

Description

This Philadelphia counterstamp on a U.S. quarter dollar dated 1815 is the third denomination type in the HT-452 counterstamp series. The Capped Bust quarter (approximately 27mm) provided ample surface area for a clear counterstamp impression and represented a substantial coin in daily commerce—worth a quarter of a day's wages for many workers. The 1815 date of the host coin places its minting during the post-War of 1812 period, when the Philadelphia Mint was rebuilding American coinage production after the wartime disruptions. By the 1830s, this twenty-year-old quarter would have shown significant circulation wear but remained fully usable in commerce. The counterstamper's willingness to mark a quarter—a coin worth considerably more than a cent—indicates that the advertising value of the stamp outweighed concerns about the coin's diminished acceptability. Counterstamped quarters from the Hard Times era are interesting dual collectibles, appealing to specialists in both Hard Times tokens and early American silver coinage. The host coin's type, date, and condition interact with the counterstamp's attribution and legibility to create a piece with multiple layers of numismatic interest.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Philadelphia counterstamp on 1815 quarter dollar.

Cross References

Rulau HT-C452