Counterstamp. Rare Illinois 1877 Half Dollar

Counterstamped "G. STODDARD" and "GALENA" on obverse. Host coin VG to Fine with problem-free surfaces. Gideon Stoddard (1822-1880) was a prominent early resident of Galena, Illinois. Born in Pennsylvania, Stoddard was among the first 100 volunteers from that State to muster-up at the outbreak of the Civil War. He was a gunsmith and a riverboat captain among other endeavors, and was a central figure in the growth of Galena. An important and historic counterstamp!