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Confederate States of America - Confederate 1861 Half
Dollar
The half dollar struck by the Confederacy was unknown to
collectors until 1879. A speimen of the coin and both dies
were found in the posession of Dr.  B.F.
Taylor of New Orleans. Mr. E. Mason, jR. of philadelphia
purchased Dr. Taylo'rs specimen and the reverse die and
latersold them to J.W. Scott and Company of New York.
Five hundred genuine 1861 half dollars from the New Orleans
mint were acquired by J. W. Scott and Company. The reverses
were planned off and then re-strikes and usually have slightly
flattened obverses.
According to records only four originals were struck. These
were made on a hand press. Original silver half dollar planchets
were used, as well as the original obverse die. one of the
coins was given to the Secretary of the Confederacy Memminger
who passed it on to President Jefferson Davis for his approval.
Another was given to Prof. J.L. Ridell of Louisianna. Dr.
E. Ames of New Orleans recieved a third specimen, the last
being kept by chief coiner B.F. Taylor,who sold it later
as mentioned above.
Lack of bullion prevented the confederate government from
proceeding with any coinage plans that might have been made.
J.W. Scott struck some tokens in white metal using the
Confederate reverse die and a special die bearing the inscription:
4 ORIGINALS STRUCK BY ORDER OF C.S.A. IN NEW ORLEANS 1861
REV. SAME AS ORIGINAL U.S. (FROM ORIGINAL DIE SCOTT)
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