 Original 1861 Confederate States of America Cent. Copper-Nickel. Choice Brilliant Proof. 63.2 gns. 19.0 mm. Lovely, pale gold in color like a nice federal Copper Nickel cent. Proof flash can be seen in the protected areas on the obverse and across most of the reverse surface. Sharply struck everywhere, with full detail showing on Miss Southern Liberty on the front and the wreath and coton bale on the back. Minor planchet roughness as made on the obverse at upper left. Circular toning in the center of the obverse, some light hairlines. Very rare: only 12 to 15 are known. The first auction appearance of an original 1861 Confederate Cent was in 1874, just 13 years after it was struck and only five before the discovery of the Confederate Half Dollar would be announced to a stunned numismatic public. In Thomas Birch & Son's catalogue of January 1874, Captain John Haseltine, who had discovered the Cent in Robert Lovett's possession, catalogued the first piece to be sold publicly as ''CONFEDERATE CENT. [Lot] 665 1861; head of Liberty; inscription, 'Confederate States of America'; rev., '1 Cent,' in 2 lines, surrounded by a wreath of ears of corn and wheat, with a cotton bale at the bottom; nickel; very fine; excessively rare. [The dies for the above piece were made by Mr. Lovett, of Philadelphia, in 1861. Mr. Lovett says that they were ordered in 1861, for the south, and that the dies were delivered. Previous to delivering the dies, he struck twelve pieces, but showed them to no one and kept the matter quiet, fearing that he might be arrested if it were known. It was not until about six months since Mr. Lovett parted with all he had (either ten or twelve) to Dr. E. Maris, of Philadelphia, from whom this one was obtained. Although it is evident that the Southern Confederacy did not adopt this piece, still it will always be considered interesting and valuable as the only coinage designed for the Southern Confederacy, and will no doubt bring a high price. I have been somewhat particular in giving the facts about this piece, as there are persons who always sneer at and doubt anything new and interesting that is discovered by other than themselves. J.W.H.]''.
Ex F.C.C. Boyd Estate.
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| Hammer Price: $110,000.00
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