Hand Punched, Hand Punching. The use of separate punches – either letter or figure punches one at a time – punched to form an inscription or legend on a numismatic or medallic item, or a form of counterstamping. The lettering is incuse and the alignment of letters is often uneven attesting to the amateur experience of the person hand punching or counter- stamping such an item. The lettering is not the original wording and such inscribing was not intended by the original designer. An example is a Washington Medal counterstamped with an Emancipation Bill inscription on the reverse. See punch, puncheon; counterstamped.