While you may be aware of the Confederate paper currency, which was notoriously devalued, the American Civil War also saw the Confederacy produce a limited number of coinage (albeit a very small number). As of today, the Confederate coins are among the most scarce and highly valued. These items are also remarkable Civil War artifacts, and the narratives that accompany them are captivating.
Confederate Coin and Replica Coin Values
These coins are exceedingly scarce; consequently, there is inadequate evidence to determine their worth.
| Coin Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Confederate States of America half-dollar | $960,000 |
| Confederate States of America half-dollar reproduction (early re-strike) | $28,750 |
| Confederate States of America Cent | $216,000 |
| Confederate Penny reproduction (early re-strike) | $52,875 |
Why Confederate Coins Are So Rare
Producing new dies for specialized Confederate coinage was prohibitively expensive for the nascent country, despite the fact that the Confederacy controlled a portion of the US Mints during the Civil War. The Confederate-controlled mints primarily continued to produce coins that were inscribed with the United States of America and used Union dies, at least until they ran out of the metals required to mint those coins..
The majority of these coins are indistinguishable from other coins of the era. Despite the fact that they were produced in mints under Confederate control, they are not generally regarded as Confederate coins.
Two Rare Confederate Coins Worth Thousands
The Confederacy desired its own currency, despite the high cost of producing new coin dies. A few coins were the result of two significant endeavors to create it. The coins were available in two distinct designs, each with its own narrative.
1861 Confederate States of America Half Dollar
In 1861, the Confederacy undertook the process of minting silver half dollars. The front of the coin is identical to the half dollar of the United States at the time, as it was produced using the same dies depicting Lady Liberty in a seated position with flowing garments. (Keep in mind that die production was exceedingly costly; consequently, this proved advantageous.) Nevertheless, the reverse of the coin features an exclusive design. It contains the words “Half Dol” and “Confederate States of America.”
This coin is the rarest Confederate coin, as only four were ever produced. They were distributed to four distinct individuals for their evaluation and assistance in determining whether to proceed with the general release of the coin into circulation. The Confederacy’s control of the mint in New Orleans was forfeited to the Union, and the conflict intervened before they could advance.
The value of this Confederate coin is among the highest of all American coins due to the fact that only four were ever produced. Heritage Auctions has sold two. One was sold for $881,250 in 2015, while another was sold for $960,000 in 2017.
Need to Know
Commemorative tokens and counterfeits were produced in the decades following the conflict, despite the fact that there are only four genuine 1861 Confederate half dollars. The original die for the back of the half dollar was possessed by John W. Scott, who produced tokens and replicas that appeared to be authentic. Although these are marginally lighter than an original half-dollar, they remain valuable. In 2011, a single unit was sold for $28,750.
1861 Confederate States of America Cent
The 1861 cent is the second Confederate coin, and its narrative is truly enigmatic. The Confederate States considered themselves a nation in early 1861; however, the conflict had not yet commenced. Although there are no historical records to substantiate this assertion, some individuals believe that the Confederacy or Southern sympathizers commissioned engraver Robert Lovett, Jr. of Philadelphia to design and construct dies for a Confederate penny.
The only known fact is that none of these coins were produced in Confederate-controlled mints; however, Lovett covertly produced up to 16 of them independently. It is said that he inadvertently spent one of the pennies in a tavern several years later.
The 1861 Confederate cent features Lady Liberty on the front, along with the words “Confederate States of America” and the year 1861. The back of the item features a wreath of agricultural commodities, including corn, cotton, and tobacco, as well as the phrase “1 cent.” These pennies are exceedingly valuable due to their rarity, regardless of their origin. In 2024, one was sold for $216,000.
Need to Know
At some point, Lovett sold the dies for the 1861 Confederate penny, and there were a few restrikes produced after the conflict. These may be observed in gold, silver, or copper. Even the restrikes can be valuable, as evidenced by an auction record of $52,875 for a copper version.
How to Tell if a Confederate Coin Is Real
Numerous individuals inquire about the authenticity of Confederate coins; however, it is probable that any coin they possess is not genuine. Although there are only a few genuine Confederate coins, there are numerous commemorative mementos that were produced subsequent to the Civil War. Replica Confederate coin sets are still available for purchase at battlefield locations.
The following are a few methods for distinguishing a genuine Confederate coin from a replica:
Weighing an 1861 Confederate half-dollar is a method by which experts can determine whether it is genuine or a phony. Real coins are marginally heavier than replicas due to their higher metal content.
Details – The coins that were produced after the 1861 Confederate coins may have less distinct details due to the fact that they were the first impressions from their dies. This occurs as the dies degrade.
Age – The patina of age is absent in modern reproductions, such as battlefield memento coins. In numerous instances, they appear to be more recent due to their age.
Ultimately, there are only two known Confederate coin designs and a small number of examples that are known to exist. Nevertheless, this does not imply that a restrike or early token is not valuable. They may be valued at thousands of dollars. It is advisable to have your coin appraised if you suspect it is an early restrike and it appears to be ancient.
A Reason for the Value of Confederate Coins
There is a reason why genuine Confederate coins are so valuable: they provide a view into a brief period of history. Additionally, they are exceedingly uncommon. While it is unlikely that you will ever come across one of these coins in your pocket change or in your grandfather’s coin collection, the mere knowledge of their histories is both captivating and enjoyable.
FAQs
Q1: What are the two ultra-rare Confederate coins?
The two coins are the 1861 Confederate Half Dollar and the Confederate Cent, both minted in limited numbers during the Civil War.
Q2: How many Confederate Half Dollars were made?
Only four original Confederate Half Dollars were minted, making them extremely rare.
Q3: Why are these Confederate coins so valuable?
Their rarity, historical significance, and connection to the Civil War era contribute to their high value among collectors.
Q4: Can you still find these coins today?
Originals are nearly impossible to find, but replicas exist for collectors interested in Civil War memorabilia.