1861 Confederate Cent Restrike

Hi all! A few days ago I purchased an 1861 Confederate cent for $2.00 at a local antique mall. I did some research later that day and discovered that it was not struck in 1861. Only 12 originals were struck, and there were two restrikes. I believe that my cent was struck with previously broken dies in 1961, as the imperfections are consistent with other slabbed pieces from the same restrike and it appears to be zinc--one of the metals used in the 1961 restrike. If it is zinc, there are only 50 pieces in existence. I haven't been able to find much information on these pieces or a proper value for them. If anyone can offer some help, it would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

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Welcome to the forum!

Check this old thread
http://www.cointalk.com/t110966-2/

My post there ( #16 or #17) has 2 good references to help you. They are often found on eBay. There are some fakes of even the "re-strikes", so compare with a photo of a certified one such as on an auction site ( Heritage Auction is good)

Jim

 

This is known as a Bashlow restrike. You are correct, that if it is zinc, 50 were struck. I won one from a reputable auction house last year. I didn't know much about them at the time. Months later I found out it was a replica of the re-strike. The width on the real one, which I can't find the exact measurement right now, is about twice the width of a normal cent, maybe more, maybe less. But I am really saying is, that it very well be a replica as well. Also, why do you think it's zinc? It sure looks like brown copper to me.

Here is the quick and dirty info about the Bashlow restrike:
http://www.rebelstatescurrency.com/bashlow.html

 

I don't know enough about these to tell you if you have the real deal or not, but I probably would have paid $2 for one of them too Cool.

 

You means the thickness, right? Mine are about twice as thick as a cent. I have read conflicting reports of numbers of each metal, and that some "thin planchets", and some of "white metal" were also made by the transfer dies made from the defaced original dies. But I can't find that reference right now

Jim
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regardless if it's real or not, that coin is WELL worth $2!!!

 

$2! Almost half a gallon of gas! I asked around at a local coin show, and found out nothing new. Might be real, might not. It is most certainly not dark copper. It may be lead, but judging by the weight of it I personally think it's zinc. And if it's not real, I'll see if I can sell it to someone for $4. Enough for a gallon of gas and a coffee!

Aidan

 

i'll take it off your hands if you don't want it. Hopefully this is a just remark to enhance the owners evaluation a ( ) would help, as comments to buy/sell/trade in threads outside of the forums that exist for that are prohibited by rules. Jim

 

Is this real or can I get a good opinion on it

 

It is the last restrike, by Robert Bashlow, about 1961. Thereafter the dies were retired and donated to the Smithsonian, I have two pieces in bronze. There were four metals used - don't recall what however. Google the answer, it must be there.

 

must be there?

while likely, it cannot be said with certainty any given answer is guaranteed to be online, only that it might be

 

Restrikes before the dies were defaced:
55 in Copper
12 in Silver
7 in Gold.

Bashlow had copy dies created from the originals. If I recall correctly, it was these dies that he defaced, so it could be known from which dies the coins were made. 20,000 restrikes in Copper (Bronze)
5,000 restrikes in Brass (Goldine)
5,000 restrikes in Silver
50 restrikes in Nickel-Silver
50 restrikes in Lead
50 restrikes in Aluminum
50 restrikes in Tin
50 restrikes in Zinc
50 restrikes in Red Fiber (plastic)
3 restrikes in Gold
3 restrikes in Platinum

Robert Bashlow gave the original dies to the Smithsonian Institute after his resrikes were sold.

I have one of the 3 piece sets of copper/ brass/ silver.

 

Hi, @cwtokenman. I found the attached among many items left by my father. I've checked a lot of links to learn what I can about these three, but remain a bit confused. It may be they are from a 1961 Barshaw restrike ? Should I continue researching this or is it more likely just a pretty set ?

 

Bashlow restrikes are kind of cool. I have one.

BUT...

despite the wishful thinking of some high end dealers and rich collectors, there is absolutely zero evidence linking the "originals" of these things to the Confederacy or that they were made before the mid 1870s. Remember that they were publicized and sold by the same dealer who sold the bogus 1804 dollar "restrikes" that were clandestinely made for him to sell.

 

The whole story always sounded fishy to me. Why would the Confederacy make a deal with a northern token manufacturer? They had 3 working mints at the beginning of the war, and very capable die makers. The Confederate half dollars are evidence of this.

 

No, the Confederacy did not have "very capable die makers." That was the immediate reason why the New Orleans Mint closed. The mint ran out of dies and could not make any more that were any good. All of the regular issue coins that the Confederacy issued from the New Orleans, Dahlonega and probably the Charlotte Mints were struck with Union dies.

The only die the Confederate government did make was the reverse of the 1861 Confederate half dollars. Only four coins were struck from it. It was not a well execuated die. The Scott Company later made 500 Confederate medals and 500 1861 Confederate restrike dollar from that die. Here are some examples.

The Restrike Half Dollar.



The Scott Confderate Medal in white metal.



Numismatic researchers still debate the Robert Lovette story concerning the Confederate Cents. At this point it's impossible to say whether or not Lovette made the dies in 1861 or the mid 1870s.

 

That is the reverse die I was referring to. I had always heard that it was the lack of silver and gold that had shut down the mints. True, the actual story of the cent dies will most likely never be known for sure, just my opinion that it just doesn't wash. I guess if everything was known, with no mysteries left numismatics would get boring!

 

The OP's $2 piece is a cast replica copied from a Bashlow "restrike." As a fake it has little or no value.