Lot 1060
1861 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-62. The story of the Confederate half dollar is as follows, in late 1860 the Secession Convention resolved to take the New Orleans Mint into the Confederate States of America. The new reverse die was engraved by A.H.M. Patterson and this was to be paired with the standard United States Seated Liberty obverse die. Of the originals, just 4 were coined, and the die removed until after the Civil War. Dr. Taylor, the chief coiner, removed the die and maintained secrecy until 1879, when he felt it was safe to publish its story. Soon the die was purchased by J. W. Scott, who found the die to be extensively rusted. With the help of David Proskey, Scott tenously struck 500 white metal impressions, fearing the die would break apart. The die did not fail, and 500 silver impressions were made using 1861 half dollars with the reverses plained down. This coin is from that group of 500, which were sold to collectors.
Few have survived, PCGS in their Population Report notes that 12 have been graded as MS-62, with just 3 graded higher, all MS-63. The reverse boasts frosty luster and well struck devices, while the obverse has minor surface scratches and shows the flattening from the restriking of the reverse. A popular rarity, and one of the few examples found in any grade.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000.
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| Realized $5,750 |
