“I can almost hear a reader or two whispering....”
Manual Salcedo Fantasy Counterstamp

CNG 99, Lot: 1067. Estimate $750. Sold for $475. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MEXICO, Guerra de Independencia. General Manuel María de Salcedo. Royalist Governor of Texas, 1810-1813. AR 8 Reales (40mm, 26.81 g, 12h). Fantasy Issue (Royalist countermarked issues). Manuel Salcedo monogram, countermarked on a Ferdinand VII Mexico City 8 Reales dated 1809 Mo TH. For countermark: BW 81; Grove 2173; KM 200. For host: BW 28.11; Grove 1809; Elizondo 103; ME 15806; KM 110. Good VF, for host coin, toned, some hairline scratches; Countermark: Good VF.

In his recent article, “Validation Stamps of the War for Independence, Part I,” in the Journal for the U.S. Mexican Numismatic Association (December 2014 pp. 14-20), Max A. Keech states about this countermark:

“I can almost hear a reader or two whispering ‘what about the famous counterstamps of Manuel Salcedo, Governor of Texas and the subject of numerous articles?’ The full explanation of these fantasy issues demands an article unto itself but suffice to say that in this author’s opinion these are all imaginary fantasies. I base this claim on what I believe is overwhelming evidence offered by the coins themselves and not just their violation of rules #1 and #3 above. Stay tuned…..”

Keech’s rules #1 and #3 are:
Rule #1: All validation stamps were used as either casting stamps or counterstamps and, with the exception of Morelos, never for both.
Rule #3: Only provisional/necessity coinage was counterstamped.