diff --git a/src/chain.h b/src/chain.h
--- a/src/chain.h
+++ b/src/chain.h
@@ -233,6 +233,9 @@
     uint32_t nBits;
     uint32_t nNonce;
 
+    //! (memory only) block header metadata
+    uint64_t nTimeReceived;
+
     //! (memory only) Sequential id assigned to distinguish order in which
     //! blocks are received.
     int32_t nSequenceId;
@@ -258,6 +261,7 @@
         nVersion = 0;
         hashMerkleRoot = uint256();
         nTime = 0;
+        nTimeReceived = 0;
         nBits = 0;
         nNonce = 0;
     }
@@ -311,6 +315,14 @@
 
     int64_t GetBlockTimeMax() const { return int64_t(nTimeMax); }
 
+    int64_t GetHeaderTimeReceived() const {
+        // Default to GetBlockTime() if nTimeReceived is not set, which
+        // in effect assumes that this block is honestly mined.
+        // Note that nTimeReceived isn't written to disk, so blocks read from
+        // disk will be assumed to be honestly mined.
+        return nTimeReceived ? nTimeReceived : GetBlockTime();
+    }
+
     enum { nMedianTimeSpan = 11 };
 
     int64_t GetMedianTimePast() const {