Value of Rare U.S. Confederate Coins

History

• Shortly after seceding from the Union, the Confederacy decided to make its own half dollar coins. Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America, commissioned the creation of the half dollar at the Federal Mint at New Orleans. At the same time, Robert Lovett of Philadelphia was contracted to make Confederate pennies.

Half Dollar

• The Confederate half dollar coin was created by taking an existing obverse half-dollar die--from the coin known as the Liberty Seated Half Dollar--and coupling it with a new reverse die depicting seven stars (one for each state in the Confederacy) on a shield surrounded by a wreath and the words "Confederate States of America." Only four coins from the original striking are known to exist. Two separate restrikes were made, each totaling 500 coins.

Penny

• The Confederate penny never reached circulation at all. It was originally minted in nickel, and the restrikes were minted in gold, silver and copper. The obverse depicted the words "The Confederate States of America" above Lady Liberty's head. The reverse had the words "1 Cent" surrounded by a wreath. Counting all of the restrikes, fewer than 100 of these coins were minted.

Value

• As of 2010, the whereabouts of all four of the original Confederate half dollars are known, but their market value is uncertain because they are all part of private collections. The value of the restrikes ranges from $900 to $10,000, depending on the physical quality of the coin. The original 1861 Confederate penny is worth well over $10,000. A flawless version of this coin is worth $35,000. The restrikes are worth between $4,000 and $10,000, again depending on the coin's condition.

Warning

• In 1957, almost 20,000 restrikes of the Confederate one cent coin were made with the original dies. These coins were minted with silver, goldine and bronze. The silver 1957 restrike is worth $350, the goldine 1957 restike is worth $200, and the Bronze 1957 restrike is worth $100.