went hunting for an 1861 IHC VF+ to replace the rather worn one in my album and came across this puppy. Since I have wanted one for awhile and the price was right I decided to risk it. I believe it to be a Bashlow "remint" but I won't be able to confirm that until I have it in hand. So I'll ask for some opinions here as well. Think I did ok? (I paid well under the $50 a bashlow usualy fetches)
Don't all Bashlow restrikes have the die damage? "The obverse die had been defaced by hammer blows and the reverse by chisel cuts." Also, I believe the planchet is thicker than what yours appears to be.
If I have my numbers right it was 12 original in nickel copper 55 1st restrikes on copper (at which point the die cracked and was canceled) then the bashlow 2nd restrikes. So odds have it, is just an unmarked fake but the hair looked good so I took a chance on it was only a 20 after all .
These were created in the early 1990s and sold along with a fake 50c, $5, and $20 goldpiece in a set. Here is one my brother "aged":
Bashlow's dies were all from transfer dies made from original dies ,that Hazeltine and group had used ( 1874 I think) to make 12 CuNi and 55 copper and then cancelled with a chisel. All Bashlow cents show chisel marks and reverse pitting from the transfer.
The OP coin is a modern copy. The Confederate dies began breaking down during the Haseltine restriking. All of the Bashlow restrikes show damaged dies and the cut cancellations.
