Masonic countermarks

[malj1]

Two US one cent coins countermarked with Masonic symbols.

The first one is nicely done ending in a very nice dish shape, the other was hit a bit too hard although the resulting image is ok.

[brandm24]

I have a set of about a dozen of this type of Masonic coins, all on US cents as yours is. Each one has a different symbol on it I'll have to look them up and post a picture or two.

This 1964 US nickel is much different and I don't know exactly how it was made. The double image on the reverse is also a puzzle. It has a nice look though, especially since some details of the coin can still be seen. Sorry the pictures aren't great but I had trouble resizing them.

Bruce

[malj1]

The second image looks to have been struck twice although I can't really see what it is I'm looking at!


BTW when resizing the images crop the unnecessary stuff away first and the file will become much more manageable.

[brandm24]

The second image looks to have been struck twice although I can't really see what it is I'm looking at!


BTW when resizing the images crop the unnecessary stuff away first and the file will become much more manageable.

Generally I don't have a problem resizing, but this one I did. I think it may have been that the file was small to begin with and by resizing I messed it up.

I was never sure how these were made with the doubling of the reverse being especially puzzling. I have a second coin in this style also, but not as nice as this one. No doubling on it though.

Bruce

Bruce

[brandm24]

Here's a Masonic piece I've had for a long from a lodge in Syracuse, NY. I think this is probably from the 1880's or so. There's no detail left of the undertype but I believe it's an old Large Cent. Until I really studied this one closely, I assumed it to be a prepared punch but not anymore. The lettering, while neatly applied, shows enough variations that suggests individual punches. The Masonic symbol is from a seperate punch.

Surprisingly, I never discovered who Mr. Norton was. It's been such a long time maybe I should revisit it and search a bit more.

Bruce

[bagerap]

More hammered pennies

[bagerap]

I was initially puzzled by Nos 1 & 3 until I realised that in the UK we refer to a stick, whereas in the US it's a cane.

[brandm24]

More hammered pennies

Looks very much like the set I have also stamped on Lincoln Cents. There's about a dozen total that I bought from a collector in Florida about ten years ago. Each example has a different Masonic symbol on it.

Bruce

[bagerap]

This is an unusual one, a George III penny with what may be Templar symbolism and the letters
 G B C B C

[brandm24]

I've looked high and low for a match to this symbol, but haven't found anything even close. I also couldn't decipher the initials. I don't think it's either Masonic or Templar, but if I had to guess I'd say possibly Masonic.

Bruce

[bagerap]

The twelve candles and the triangle are known as the Knights Templar Sepulchre Triangular Candle Array. The sword also is used in Templar ritual.
This type of masonic off shoot was very popular at the end of the 18th century, but I was surprised to see that it continues today.

[brandm24]

Do you know what the letters stand for, bagerap?

Bruce

[bagerap]

Not a clue, although with the more esoteric lodges of those days, when you see a G it's usually wise to start searching for "Grand".
Another thought is that it could start Georgius Britanniarum C B C.
It's probably a secret lost to the ages.

[bagerap]

Turns out to be Grand Black Chapter of the British Commonwealth, established 1797, two years after the Orange Order.

[brandm24]

Thanks for the info. I never heard of that chapter until now.

Bruce