Steve writes: A friend of mine has a 1862 half dollar.The markings on the front of the coin are outside edge has confederate states of america and a soldier on a horse with deo vindice on bottom. The front has shield and confederate states of america around outside and half dol on bottom. I would like to find the value of this coin. Thanks Steve
The Confederacy never struck coins for commerce. There was enough bullion stored at the New Orleans Mint to strike coins, but the CSA probably had neither the steel or the expertise to make dies. The closest they got was to mint a hand full of “half dollars” made from the existing Union Seated Liberty obverse and a reverse made from a single die made by A. H. M Patterson, a die sinker in New Orleans.
The new reverse showed the Confederate Shield under a Liberty Cap with the words CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA around and Half Dol. below. The coin is dated 1861. The original pieces are quite valuable due to their small numbers and tremendous historical importance. (One of the original pieces was in the possession of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, when he was captured by Union troops attempting to escape while wearing women’s clothing).
Later in the 19th century, additional pieces were struck from the rusted but useable dies, in other metals. The piece you mention, is probably one of the many medals struck in the 1960’s to commemorate the centennial of the Civil War. The value of these medals are nominal.
See: 1861 Confederate half dollar
