- PCGS #:
- 340401
- Designer:
- N/A
- Edge:
- N/A
- Diameter:
- N/A
- Weight:
- N/A
- Mintage:
- N/A
- Mint:
- Philadelphia
- Metal:
- Other
- Auction Record:
- $960,000 • SP40 • 11-01-2017 • Heritage Auctions
Major Varieties
- 1861 50C W-12 CSA Original
Go To Grade
Current Auctions - PCGS Graded
Current Auctions - NGC Graded
For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded
For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded
Condition Census What Is This?
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#1 PR40 estimated grade
Found in a roll of change by Mark Jacobs (of Rondout, New York) circa 1880 - Thomas Elder - H.O. Granberg Collection - Waldo Newcomer - B. Max Mehl, sold privately in 1931 - "Colonel" E.H.R. Green Collection - Partnership of Eric P. Newman & B.G. Johnson (St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.) - Eric P. Newman, who paid $4,000 - Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society - Heritage 11/2017:15125, $960,000
This coin is not listed in the regular Newcomer inventory
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#2 PR30 estimated grade
190.5 grains (per the Ford catalog) |
P. Scott Rubin:
One of the most interesting and rarest coins produced in the United States was made by the Confederate States of America. The Half Dollar of 1861 with a reverse stating that the coin is a Confederate Half Dollar is the only coin officially made by and for the Confederacy. The obverse die is that of the United States Half Dollar of that year but mated with a design showing a shield with seven stars and seven strips representing the seven States that left the United States, topped with a Liberty Cap and surrounded by a wreath containing plants associated with the southern States.
The history of this coinage is most interesting. The first one of these coins became known to the public in 1879 some fourteen years after the Civil War and six years after the discovery of the 1861 Confederate Cent, which was made in Philadelphia and for which no known official sanction by the Confederacy for its manufacture is known.
It is documented that only four Confederate Half Dollars were produced at the New Orleans Mint in 1861 and there is documentation as to who all four were given to. However, only the discovery coin can positively be traced to its original owner, B.F. Taylor at the time Chief Coiner of the Mint for the Confederacy. The three other coins were given to Dr. Ames, Professor Riddell and the President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis. These coins became known by the numismatic community in the years 1910, 1961 and 1970.
Currently (March, 2014), two of the coins are in museums, one in the ANS collection (the discovery coin) and the Eric P. Newman coin (second coin discovered), ex-Col. Green which may soon be sold. Two of the four coins are currently in private collections, the John J. Ford, Jr. coin (third coin discovered) was sold by Stack’s in October, 2003 for $632,500 to an Eastern United States Collector. The last discovered coin was sold in 1970 by Lester Merkin to an un-named collector.
The history of this coinage is most interesting. The first one of these coins became known to the public in 1879 some fourteen years after the Civil War and six years after the discovery of the 1861 Confederate Cent, which was made in Philadelphia and for which no known official sanction by the Confederacy for its manufacture is known.
It is documented that only four Confederate Half Dollars were produced at the New Orleans Mint in 1861 and there is documentation as to who all four were given to. However, only the discovery coin can positively be traced to its original owner, B.F. Taylor at the time Chief Coiner of the Mint for the Confederacy. The three other coins were given to Dr. Ames, Professor Riddell and the President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis. These coins became known by the numismatic community in the years 1910, 1961 and 1970.
Currently (March, 2014), two of the coins are in museums, one in the ANS collection (the discovery coin) and the Eric P. Newman coin (second coin discovered), ex-Col. Green which may soon be sold. Two of the four coins are currently in private collections, the John J. Ford, Jr. coin (third coin discovered) was sold by Stack’s in October, 2003 for $632,500 to an Eastern United States Collector. The last discovered coin was sold in 1970 by Lester Merkin to an un-named collector.