Was interested to read the article on Counter Stamp dollars by Peter Andrews in the current CAB magazine, his mentioning of the 2004 Eureka Counter Stamp in particular reminded me of a thread from about ten years ago on one of the previous forums, which some here may remember.
The discussion was about how to distinguish the E Counter Stamp (Eureka Center, Ballarat) from the standard E coin which was minted on the RAM's internal presses (known in later years as a Privy mark). In this case, the punching of the Counter Stamp E was one of the few occasions up to that time, where the resulting strike had been unusually clean and clear, making it difficult to tell the two coins apart. The diameter of the incused punch is what I remember as being the difference.
Nice rainy day :yahoo: so sat down and had a look at the incused stamp area of all privy and Counter Stamp Dollars from 2002 to 2007. No need to go further than 2007, as the Mint placed the Privy's on a raised square section of the planchet from then on. Found a few things of interest as follows below.
2002 and 2003, the diameter of the incused area where the letter (B,M,S) sits, was approximately 1.65mm for all Privy Marks and Counter Stamps.
2004 was a little different.
Thinner E Privy, 1.6mm incused area. Slightly thicker E Counter Stamp, 1.7mm incused area Pics below
B Privy, 1.5mm incused area. Thick B Counter Stamp, incused area 1.75mm. Extraordinarily a second Thinner B Counter Stamp, incused area 1.85mm Pics below
M Privy and M Counter Stamp both 1.65mm.
S Privy 1.65mm, S Counter Stamp 1.85mm
2005
B Counter Stamp approx. 155mm
All other Privy and Counter Stamps approx. 165mm
2006
TV Privy approx. 2mm
B Counter Stamp approx. 1.55mm
All other coins 1.65mm
2007
B Counter Stamp approx. 1.85mm
All other coins approx. 1.65mm
2004 Thinner E Privy 1.6mm dia. incused area
(https://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10064/411/2004_Dollar_Eureka_E_Privy.JPG)
2004 Thicker E Counter Stamp 1.7mm dia incused area
(https://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10064/411/2004_Dollar_Eureka_E_Counterstamp.JPG)
2004 B Privy (1.5mm incused area)
(https://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10064/411/2004_Dollar2C_Eureka__B_Privy_mark.JPG)
2004 Thick B Counter Stamp 1.75mm dia. incused area
(https://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10064/411/2004_Dollar_Eureka_B_incused_Counterstamp_1_75mm.JPG)
2004 Thin B Counter Stamp 1.85mm dia. incused area
(https://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10064/411/2004_Dollar_Eureka_B__incused_Counterstamp___1_85mm.JPG)
I remember the earlier discussion re the "E" Counterstamp and as such, sent an email to the RAM.
I did receive a reply that confirmed that this was correct and such.
I shall sus out the response an repost the reply.
Here is a copy of my email I sent to the RAM and the response received:
(https://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10120/142/2018-03-08_09-03-16_0497.jpg)
Goldseeker you once posted something about the difference in distance from the counterstamp to the flag ... I posted this in this topic but somehow admin decided not to include it
Yes, the portable press counterstamp is closer to the flagpole than the heavy press stamp.
Quote from: 'Goldseeker' pid='114402' dateline='1520552420'Yes, the portable press counterstamp is closer to the flagpole than the heavy press stamp.
That's what I thought with the E at Ballarat anyway,not sure about the others thanks Bruce :thank_you:
Bruce do you have an image of that special folder from Ballarat I remember you obtained one
Here it is:
(https://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10120/183/2018-03-11_10-59-51_0529.jpg)(https://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10120/183/2018-03-11_11-00-25_0530.jpg)
Quote from: 'Goldseeker' pid='114437' dateline='1520726737'Here it is:
(https://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10120/183/2018-03-11_10-59-51_0529.jpg)(https://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10120/183/2018-03-11_11-00-25_0530.jpg)
:yahoo: Excellent thank you