One of the great rarities in American numismatics, an original 1861 Confederate States of America (CSA) silver half dollar, will be a featured exhibit at the American Numismatic Association’s 2018 World’s Fair of Money® (www.WorldsFairOfMoney.com) in Philadelphia, August 14-18.
The coin will be insured for $1 million for what will be its first public exhibition.
Only four CSA half dollars were struck 157 years ago at the New Orleans Mint in April 1861 soon after it was taken over by the Confederacy.
The ANA Museum Showcase display also will include one of the finest known of the 16 original CSA 1861 cents struck under mysterious circumstances in Philadelphia, and insured now for $250,000.
Both the proof half dollar and proof cent were formerly in the collection of legendary numismatist Eric P. Newman. They will be displayed now courtesy of the anonymous owner of the Black Cat Collection and in conjunction with Legend Numismatics (www.LegendNumismatics.com) of New Jersey.
"These coins are classic ‘what ifs’ of history," said Douglas Mudd, Curator of the ANA’s Edward C. Rochette Money Museum.
"As with all new nations, the Confederate States of America looked to money as a way to announce their independence to the world, but a lack of time and resources meant that they were limited to producing paper currency. These extremely rare pieces give us a glimpse of what Confederate coinage would have looked like," stated Mudd.
The CSA half dollar is graded PCGS Gold Shield SP40 CAC. Some researchers believe it may have been owned in the 1860s by CSA Secretary of the Treasury Christopher Memminger and perhaps Confederacy President Jefferson Davis, then reportedly was found in a roll of change around 1880 by a collector, Mark Jacobs, in the state of New York. Twentieth century owners included Thomas Elder, Waldo Newcomer, B. Max Mehl, Col. E.H.R. Green and Newman.
The CSA cent is graded PCGS Gold Shield SP63+ CAC. In addition to Newman, previous owners included Robert Lovett, Jr., Dr. Edward Maris, Captain John W. Haseltine and Col. Green.
Laura Sperber, President of Legend Numismatics, said the Black Cat Collection owner collected coins as a youngster, but began collecting major coins only about a year ago.
"His collection would already rank as one of the greatest ever. He is a highly successful entrepreneur who is passionately enjoying the pursuit of great rarities and just cool looking coins, including Civil War coins such as the Confederate half dollar and cent," explained Sperber.
The Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money will be held in the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Tuesday, August 14, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday to Friday, August 15 to 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, August 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission is free daily to ANA members and children under 12 years of age, free to everyone on Saturday, and $8 Tuesday through Friday for non-ANA members.
When it comes to coins rare does not always mean beautiful and beautiful in no way whatsoever automatically implies rare, but each of these two coins happens to meet both criteria by any numismatic and artistic standard imaginable.
Four Stooges doing -1s instead of Three. 😛 😮 :silly: :shutmouth:
The Confederate Half Dollar was one of only four struck at the New Orleans Mint in the short time it was operated by Confederate forces. The obverse reused an 1861-O Seated Liberty die, while the reverse features a shield surrounded by the words CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA. What an amazing piece of history…and an example of the epic incompetence by the confederate force to mint coins lol They must have broke the die after the forth was minted.
Well, we can be charitable and chalk it up to the fact that they had plenty of OTHER things to worry about, like trying to win the war, for example. 😉
Mouse, I tried to erase the down vote you got, but apparently you have more than one and I could only “equalize” the first. I guess Doofus and Dimwit struck already; shouldn’t be too long before Dingbat, Dummy and Dimbulb join the action. :silly:
And Dipstick and Dungbreath join the band. ❓ ❗
Not to mention Doofus, Dullard, and Droopy. 😛 :envy: :silly:
I live within an easy train ride of Philly. Can’t wait to attend!
Munzen,
You are very fortunate to be in such close proximity to such an exciting event. Enjoy, my friend!
Hmmm…I forgot about a -1 Smurf. 👿
Not to be outdone, a -2 Cretin signs on. 😛
Followed closely by a -3 Wingnut and a -4 Hophead. :envy: :silly:
Throw in one each of a Mullet and a Pointy Head and you’ve got quite the Clown Car! 😮
Mudhead itself driving and six sick puppies riding shotgun. 😡 😛 🙄 :silly: :envy: 😮 😕