1861-O Half Dollars

cameron12x

The New Orleans mint produced 1861-O half dollars under three separate governments in 1861: The Union, The State of Louisiana, and the CSA (Confederate States of America).

From die marriages (and die emission data) it can be determined which government produced an individual coin.

Does anyone on the board collect this issue?

If so, can you tell us why the price of these has seemed to have gone up so much in the last couple of years?

TAMU15

Goldeneyenumismatics is very knowledgable on 1861 o halves and their varieties. In the past few years, most Civil War dated coins have gone up in price and popularity.

Yukoncornelius1

I've got one struck from the Confederacy with the die crack running from the rim to the nose, it is vf details with some marks. Also have a nice ANACS old holder AU-50 from the U.S. government with a strong strike and no die breaks.

Walkerguy21D

I saw a nice original XF45 at FUN with a very reasonable price on it.....I checked my date list, saw I already had one, and figured it must be common as dirt - doh!

IrishMikey

Because it has a story, and can be marketed as such.

RYK

I love 1861-O's and currently have three! Yes, they are common, but they also ooze history. IMO, it is a core coin for anyone's Civil War themed coin set.

UTTM07

The 61-O is a pretty interesting coin due to the varieties made by the different issuers. I found a line through the berry variety in VF with couple small rim bumps unattributed. I haven't seen the pictures of all the varieties but I think degree of die polish would be a good indicator. Lots of them have the drapery almost erased. Also have a 61-O that's AG or less and a F with a hole. Maybe I do collect the coin!

civilwarcoincollector

Another reason that the price has increased is because of the 150th anniversary has made the civil war a popular thing to collect right now. It is whats hot.

BillJones

The 1861-O half dollar is a common date that is available to a wide range of collectors who might want the piece. Unlike other common dates during this period the coin was made in the heart of the Confederacy at a time when the nation was breaking apart. There is also the story of the three governments that controlled the New Orleans mint during this period that makes the coin more desirable in addition to its very rare sister coin, the 1861 Confederate half dollar. For these reasons I'm not surprised that the price of this coin has gone up. I bought this one years ago when I was a dealer and decided to hang on to it for the reasons cited.



And here is an example of Scott "restrike" of the 1861 Confederate half dollar. This one is no great shakes, preservation wise, but it was made from the variety with the die break by Ms. Liberty's nose that was said to have been made by the Confederate government.

mkman123

Which one is the cheapest and which is the most expensive? The CSA one I'm guessing is the most expensive? This seems like a cool series to do

OldEastside

So whats the State of Louisiana die configuration?
And Bill, how scarce are the restrikes?

Steve

CaptHenway

Too bad neither the State of Louisiana nor the CSA thought to do their strikes in medal alignment rather than coin alignment just so that the two could be told apart from the Federal issues.

BillJones

<< <i>So whats the State of Louisiana die configuration?
And Bill, how scarce are the restrikes?

Steve >>



The Scott Stamp and Coin Company was supposed have made 500 examples of the Confederate Restrike half dollar. They purchased 500 1861-O half dollars, plained off the reverses and used the Confederate half dollar dollar die to stike these pieces. Since they did no have an obverse die, the obverse on this coins in always flattened to one extent or another. I'd guess than a goodly number of these Scott restrikes still exist, perhaps 300 to 400. These pieces are pricey today. Depending on the grade they can go for a low of $6,000 or $7,000 for a mess up one to $12,000 or $13,000 for a nicer one.