1824 General Lafayette countermark on an 1818 United States quarter. Fuld-Unlisted. VF Detail—Graffiti (PCGS).The noted graffiti consists of two ancient initials on the obverse of the host, at 9:00 and 3:00, flanking the countermark. Somewhat mottled surfaces with light gray highlights and deeper, somewhat rough patina in the fields and recesses. The countermark is applied twice, one well centered on the obverse of the host and the second, more prominent impression, being shifted toward 11:00. This countermark is from a different die than used on the well-known Washington-Lafayette countermarks offered above, attributed to Joseph Lewis. It is of somewhat less refined style. However, it is closely related to the unattributed style seen in the previous lot. As noted above, this portrait is a cut down version of the bust used on that apparently unique, small Lafayette visit medalet. The legend is the same as found on the Lewis die, though in cruder font. Apparently very rare, as we have only seen one other piece with this mark, an 1824 large cent that we offered in our Ford Sale, Part XXIV (lot 21215), and more recently, in our June 2017 Baltimore sale (lot 9013). Though assigned a Brunk number on the PCGS holder, the number refers to the standard die by Joseph Lewis, this die being apparently undescribed in the literature beyond our own auction catalogs. The maker of this die is unknown, adding a degree of mystery and undeniable appeal. According to a note from our consignor, this piece is scheduled to be featured in the 2020 <em>Mega Red</em> edition of the <em>Guide Book of United States Coins</em> from Whitman publications.From the Q. David Bowers Collection. Earlier from our (Stacks) sale of May 1992, lot 2102.
