Company Name: W. H. Foster, Inc
Company Location: Walla Walla, Washington
Company Information: All Engelhard has a great writeup on W. H. Foster, Inc. and a comprehensive list of ingot varieties. We would like to refer the interested collector there. Below is some supplemental information that may be helpful.
Some more information about W. H. Foster Inc. and Hercaimy Coin/Enterprises and the people involved can be found here: history
A short study of 3oz Foster varieties, and proposed classification:
The 3oz Type II hallmark Foster appears more often than the 5 or 10oz, and although still rare, is perhaps the most readily obtainable poured Foster ingot for the collector. Over the years, I've had the unique chance to study a number of them, and in 2017 I proposed a general classification, and started referring to the basic types as 1st or 2nd Generation, to make it easier for collectors to describe the ingots.
In general, the 3oz Foster ingot varieties fall into two categories: 1st Generation and 2nd Generation.
These two categories are based on the mold used, and 2nd Generation pieces are distinguished from 1st Generation because they exhibit a more refined production process, which should correspond with an ingot produced later, as methods were developed. There is no factual information to support this, just theory. In any case, it is helpful for collectors to be able to classify pieces, and put together “type sets.”
This general 1st and 2nd Generation classification holds true for the vast majority of poured 3oz Foster ingots, but there are rare and notable exceptions. This will be built out at a later time, but here is a preview:
Exceptions:
1.) “Green Co. L.A. Cal” counterstamped ingots have a distinct mold which is similar to a 2nd Gen in height, but “wider” or “longer” along the long edge. Update 11/3/20: In further study with collector S.G., we found that the Green Co. mold matches the small hoard of wide-mold 1st Gen ingots mentioned in Exception #2 below. Great research!
2.) There is a very rare, large and crude 1st Gen mold that was used, which was significantly “longer” along the long edge. This wider ingot results in a lower profile, so the “height” is the same as a 2nd Gen piece. About 5 of these ingots appeared in 2017, and were sold by Bellevue Rare Coins in Washington State.
3.) The 3oz piece seen on AE with only the Deak triangle on the obverse, with fineness and weight designation, and no eagle-over-ribbon hallmark is a distinct mold that does not match any other observed Foster piece.
Commentary on counterstamps with regard to 1st and 2nd Gen examples:
1.) All 1st Gen examples exhibit the triangle counterstamp. (No blank reverses seen as of yet)
2.) No 1st Gen examples exhibit the 5-pointed star counterstamp.
3.) 2nd Gen examples can be blank, one known “transitional” example exhibits only the triangle, but more commonly exhibit both star and triangle. There are two 2nd Gen examples that are missing both star and triangle, but show a “DEAK” counterstamp.
– Oldpouralchemy 9.26.19
Gallery:
| Obverse | Reverse | Description |
|---|---|---|
 |  | 10 oz example with counterstamps |
Some advertisements:
| Description | |
 | August 1968 ad |
 | May 1969 from Danny B. Crabb |
 | August 1969 from Hercaimy Enterprises |
 | November 1969 W.H Foster, Inc ad |
 | December 1969 picture from magazine |