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This caught my eye on eBay... would it have caught yours? -- 1861 Beauregard Dime
jonathanb
Posts: 3,430 ✭✭✭✭✭
I was browsing a totally unrelated category on eBay last month when a listing titled "1861 Manassas Confederate General CSA Comm. Medal" caught my eye, along with a the standard postage-stamp preview in list view. This is one of the rare listings that made me sit up straight in my chair -- literally (my posture is lousy 
)
I'm not going to claim that was specifically looking for one of these. It is a good example of something that's as much a cherrypick as a normal rip, though. The token itself seems like nothing special. It's silver, obviously worn, about 19 mm in diameter, and even had a loop removed at top. If you don't start off knowing what it is, you'd probably never think to look into it any further. I paid about $200, and probably made the seller's day considering that his reserve was at $25. Before I spill the beans, would anyone like to take a shot at figuring out what it is and why I was thrilled to get it for that price?
(It seemed appropriate to wait until today before posting pictures, as you can see...)
)I'm not going to claim that was specifically looking for one of these. It is a good example of something that's as much a cherrypick as a normal rip, though. The token itself seems like nothing special. It's silver, obviously worn, about 19 mm in diameter, and even had a loop removed at top. If you don't start off knowing what it is, you'd probably never think to look into it any further. I paid about $200, and probably made the seller's day considering that his reserve was at $25. Before I spill the beans, would anyone like to take a shot at figuring out what it is and why I was thrilled to get it for that price?
(It seemed appropriate to wait until today before posting pictures, as you can see...)
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Congratulations!
First Manassas - First Bull Run
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
The Beauregard dime is something of a mystery. Nobody seems to know who produced it, or why. It's not listed in any standard reference that I know of. It struck in my mind at one point simply because it was strange to have such a mystery in numismatics.
Here is the Stack's listing that Rich mentions. I can only include the text here. It seems that another 'improvement' on the Stack's site is that the pictures are not linkable any more...
<< <i>Silver, 17.7mm, 2.15 grams (33.1 grains). Reeded edge, crude 2.4mm hole at 12:00. Fine-12. Obv. Head l., (B)RG. GEN. C.S.A. - G.T. BEAUREGARD; C.R. below the truncation. Rev. Laurel wreath encloses MANASSAS / 21 JULY / 1861. This enigmatic piece is of the same fabric as the other known Confederate "dime" that portrays the bearded President Jefferson Davis. Examples of the Beauregard and Davis "dimes" were known in the late 1860s and have since appeared in such great name sales as Garrett, Brand, and Ford. There has been endless speculation over their nature and origin. Most known are holed, while others show traces of a loop that would argue use as a pendant or patriotic badge. Some writers have been encouraged to believe that the edge reeding bolsters their hope that the items were intended to serve as coins or tokens. Some efforts have been made to prove a French origin by cataloguers lacking real familiarity with contemporary French medalets. The signature "C.R." is not encountered on the many "street medals" produced in France in 1848-1870, few of which were ever struck in silver, and the comparatively crude die work is by no means typical of French popular medals of that era. The present Beauregard piece shows wear consistent with long years as a pocket piece by someone who venerated the General's memory. It was part of the great Virgil M. Brand Collection and was acquired by that noteworthy Chicago collector from B.H. Collins on Jan. 26, 1905 for the then-significant price of $25.
Louisiana native Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard (1818-1893) graduated West Point and was one of several Southern officers who fought with great distinction in the Mexican War. He had just been appointed Superintendent at West Point when his native state seceded. Beauregard was swiftly appointed Brigadier General of the new Confederate Army, directing the attack on Fort Sumter. This medalet recalls his victory over Union forces at First Manassas (Bull Run), which made him an acclaimed hero throughout the South. Beauregard served throughout "the War of Northern Aggression," and published memoirs in 1891 that involved him in lively disputes with Jefferson Davis and General J.E. Johnston. >>
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Dayum, boy! Thou Sucketh!
(and if I'd seen it, I'd be the one with the improved posture!
Congrats on a super score!
Lincoln set Colorless Set
Nice score
<< <i>I'm sorry, I can't help but take note of the violet patina. >>
Yeah, sorry, my pics are overexposed. I tried for a while and then just gave up. Maybe I'll get it out of the safe deposit and try again later on, but not right now.
Here are the seller's original pics. Mine are too light; these are too dark. The real piece has nice honest color somewhere in the middle.
<< <i>I was browsing a totally unrelated category on eBay last month when a listing titled "1861 Manassas Confederate General CSA Comm. Medal" caught my eye, along with a the standard postage-stamp preview in list view. This is one of the rare listings that made me sit up straight in my chair -- literally (my posture is lousy
I'm not going to claim that was specifically looking for one of these. It is a good example of something that's as much a cherrypick as a normal rip, though. The token itself seems like nothing special. It's silver, obviously worn, about 19 mm in diameter, and even had a loop removed at top. If you don't start off knowing what it is, you'd probably never think to look into it any further. I paid about $200, and probably made the seller's day considering that his reserve was at $25. Before I spill the beans, would anyone like to take a shot at figuring out what it is and why I was thrilled to get it for that price?
(It seemed appropriate to wait until today before posting pictures, as you can see...)
YEEEE-HAHHHHHHH!!!!!!
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.americanlegacycoins.com
No rip!
Just a smart buyer!
YOU SUCK!
edited to add: I never seen one of these before, this forum is great that way!
Now, please send it to me and I will properly dispose of it!
Seriously though, VERY
<< <i>I'm assuming your max bid was quite a bit higher! >>
Somewhat higher, but really not all that much. Well under $1,000, anyway. When I think I've spotted something good like this, I usually aim my bid so that I would beat anyone who doesn't know what it is, while still giving a great deal to anyone else who spots it on their own. Personal preference.
(I end up being underbidder a lot...
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
<< <i>Indeed it is a Beauregard Dime. It's tough to stump the board, although it took almost 40 whole minutes for someone to nail it this time
It did take me a while, I do some work during the day.
I saw one of these about ten years ago, then none until the 3 this year! So it's no wonder that some people had never seen one, they've just not been around until now!
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
<< <i>This is very cool, I had never heard of this piece prior to this thread. >>
Ditto.
anyone who thinks you did something wrong is just plain outright Jealous!!
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.americanlegacycoins.com
Me too, this is the first time I have ever heard of this Civil War CSA
You nailed a good one!
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen