Catalog
9 Black Dogs
| Issuer | Colonial Government of Nevis |
|---|---|
| Year | 1801 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 9 Black dogs (1/8) |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Rectangular incuse countermark applied to the host coin, bearing the legend NEVIS in raised Latin letters within a dentilated border, with the numeral 9 stamped below in the field. The countermark is deeply impressed into the surface of what appears to be a Spanish colonial cob (macuquina) coinage, showing the characteristic cross and castle design of the host piece beneath the overstamp. The irregular, roughly circular flan displays the typical uneven edges of a hand-struck cob coin, with surface patina and verdigris deposits consistent with age. Diagonal scratch lines are visible across the field, likely serving as cancellation or validation marks applied by colonial authorities. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Nevis (countermark application) |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
The "Black Dog" was a colloquial term applied to worn, debased French colonial coins circulating throughout the British Caribbean — particularly the billon sous marqués — which had become so degraded in silver content that local commerce was perpetually disrupted. Nevis, like several neighboring Leeward Islands, responded by counterstamping available silver and issuing cut and plugged pieces with assigned local valuations entirely divorced from their metal content. The "9" denomination here denotes nine black dogs, a fractional accounting unit specific to this emergency coinage rather than any standard imperial reckoning.