I'm almost certain this is a fake/reproduction. It's in great condition (too good). It is identical to the 1862 CSA one-cent coin by Robert Lovett, except that it is a five-dollar coin. However, I have not been able to find any references to this particular coin online. Does anyone know anything about it, or what it's worth? P.S. I didn't pay much for it...
Novelty piece, unfortunately. The Confederates only issued cents, halves, and currency. They made only a few hundred cents and a few halves. The currency was plentiful, aand now can be purchased for less than face value because of the fact that their legal tender status is no longer valid.
Thanks, coinmaster1! It will be a little conversational piece for my wife and I, but mostly for my wife..... Just for others' reference, it's about the size of a nickel, and at least one person thinks it's worth 18 bucks!
The Lovett coin was only dated 1861. Many contemporary tokens were made with the general design and date of yours, from 1 cent up to sell for the 100 yr anniversary in 1961. Most were dated 1862 to prevent problems. Very often the 1862 cent is brought to the forum. You can search for those threads. Most examples are found in the south Maybe with the 150th anniversary here, we will see even more. Welcome to the forum! Jim
I've seen them in souvenir shops in Civil War historic areas. There are all kinds of fantasy Confederate coin souvenirs.
Here is an 1862 Confederate five dollar piece. The Confederacy was on fait currency from the beginning. The Charlotte and Dahlonega Mints did produced $5 gold coins in the spring of 1861. They were made with Union dies and looked like this. I don't have an 1861 gold piece that was made when the Confederate government controlled those mints.
You guys know confederate money? That's good to know. I'll get some photos and post them here. This place is great.
There are some sharp confederate note guys in the paper money section. I have a passing interest because I got to help renovate the old confederate printing building into a modern grocery store many years back. Lots of history in those old notes. Some pretty spectacular art on many of them too.