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.
