Lot 3107
1861 Confederate Half Dollar. Scott Token Obverse. PCGS graded MS-62. Only 500 minted. Pop 21; 36 finer
In 1879 coin dealer J. W. Scott came into possession of the original reverse die used to strike the four original 1861 Confederate Half Dollars, at which time an authentic 1861-dated Liberty Seated obverse was mated with it. In 1879, Scott issued an 1861 Confederate Half Dollar "restrike" using genuine 1861-O New Orleans mint Seated Liberty Half Dollars as his planchets. Planing off the reverse, he put them in a collar and stamped them with the Confederate reverse, thus creating a coin similar to the four original Confederate Half Dollars. They are easily differentiated as the obverse of the coin was flattened during the striking process on Scott's pieces, and the edge reeding, because it was squeezed by the plain collar, also shows flattening.
The resulting restrikes were sold by subscription, with the issue soon touted as being oversubscribed (which it wasn't). Numerous pieces remained unsold and it was not until many years later that the final coin left Scott's possession.
In the years since, the 1861 Scott restrike has become a sought-after treasure, furnishing as it does an indirect link with the Confederacy. Of the 500 restruck, most survive today, although a few may have been lost (PCGS # 340403) .
Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500.
The Arden Collection.
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| Realized $4,025 |
