MORE ON THE ELUSIVE NEW ENGLAND COUNTERMARK
The E-Sylum (4/19/2020)
Book Content
Bill Snyder writes:
"Back when Ken Bressett wrote about the Spanish NE countermarked coins, I had suggested the following to him (and later in a message to Louis Jordan)"
Here's the text of Bill's message. Thanks. -Editor
On page 307, the conclusion is reached that the "NE" countermark was an attempt to deceive. This is based on the fact that the Act of May, 1672 required that a Weight, as well as the NE initials, be placed on each coin tested.
I submit that there may be another interpretation.
When I read the second paragraph, (Crosby, page 80), beginning with 'Whereas peeces are of more . . ', it says that coins of "right allay, and due weight" will be stamped NE.
The third paragraph deals with underweight Spanish coins. It says "that peeces of eight vnder the weight of sixe shillings . . . . be impressed vpon the stamp how much each peece doth weigh in legible figures, wth the other letters on ye samew, & of the same Alloy.".
In order words, I suggest the weight was only required on underweight silver coins.
I had a similar question originally: "Is anyone familiar with a genuine example of a Spanish dollar countermarked with its weight... ?" Bressett concluded that the Act of 1672 "effectively removed any incentive for having those coins converted to Massachusetts shillings or counterstamped with any sort of markings." -Editor
To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
THE ELUSIVE NEW ENGLAND COUNTERMARK (https://www.coinbooks.org/v23/esylum_v23n15a31.html)
