2030

J.L. Polhemus Counterstamp on Peru 1817 Lima Mint 2 Reales. M-CALIF-2A, Brunk P-563. NCS Ungraded. H

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Shipwreck Ingots Start Price:165.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 USD and UP
J.L. Polhemus Counterstamp on Peru 1817 Lima Mint 2 Reales. M-CALIF-2A, Brunk P-563. NCS Ungraded. H
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Counterstamped vertically on the host obverse: J.L. POLHEMUS arcs above a miniature mortar and pestle, DRUGGIST / 190 J ST. COR. 7TH immediately below symbol, SACRAMENTO CAL. curves below. The host coin is well-worn throughout with steel grey the dominant shade.
Our prolific counterstamper, Mr. James Lozier Polhemus (1825-1866) was an early ‘49er who arrived in sparsely settled California from his life in the heavily industrialized city of Paterson, New Jersey aboard the Orpheus out of New York Harbor, arriving in late 1849. He set up shop as a druggist in 1850 in Sacramento at the address that is so familiar to fans of counterstamped coins and remained there until his passing, after which his widow carried on the business for another decade or so. He was an early California advertising guru who had print ads in such local papers as the Sacramento Bee and the California Farmer. He made good use of his familiar totem, a mortar and pestle, when he had a giant example placed on a tall pole outside at the corner of his oft-visited apothecary establishment. His counterstamps are known on most denominations up to double eagles, including the several pieces in the present offering, all of which are on silver coins – sorry, no double eagles today. It has been said that Polhemus counterstamped nearly all the coins that passed through his business establishment; he must have had an apprentice to do all the work!