1861 Confederate Half Dollar Scott Restrike, PCGS MS65. 1861 CSA 50C Scott Restrike (Token). One of 500 restrikes produced in 1879, struck in white metal, from a newly created obverse and the reverse die which had struck four original CSA half dollars in 1861. Extremely rare and seldom encountered at this grade level, this is one of the few opportunities a collector has to acquire coins related to the Confederate States of America. A later die state, as identified by the die crack on the obverse, this is one of the finest known of this enigmatic issue, struck eighteen years after the American Civil War had ended.

Coin dealer J.W. Scott had acquired the original reverse die that was used in New Orleans in 1861 to strike the historic and famous Confederate half dollars, combined with a regular obverse die of an 1861 Liberty Seated half dollar. 500 pieces were produced by grounding off the reverse of genuine 1861-O half dollars and restriking them with the original reverse die. 500 more were struck in white metal with a newly created obverse die, which identified them as restrikes made from the original reverse die.

Struck in white metal, otherwise called pewter a vulnerable metal, this piece has survived in gem condition. White metal is of no pre-determined alloy, but usually contains traces of lead and tin. Silver in appearance, it is also seen on many 19th century pattern coins, but many pieces have oxidized over the years. The present piece is virtually free of that, and with its nearly mark-free surfaces would serve as an excellent example for this scarce and historic token. Very rare at this grade level, with only 2 PCGS MS-65’s graded with none finer.