US nickle 5c coin 1869 XF historical countermark

Description

Historical US 5c nickle coin. Year date 1869. High grade condition with no significant wear to the high relief points. Countermarked S E W for Seth Edmund Ward a sutler of Wyoming trading post monopoly in Fort Laramie. Said to be the longest serving official sutler and became very wealthy. Detailed history can be found at web page...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seth_E._Ward...Only damage to the coin appears to be tied to the counterstriking. Such an historic counterstrike  on a nickle this well preserved should exceed the value of the same coin without counterstrike in higher condition grade. pays .75 mail.