April 2024 - D.A.W.N. and South Suburban - 1861 half dollars

Patrick, a former employee of the Denver Mint, gave a very informative discussion of 1861 half dollars produced at the New Orleans mint.

Apparently the mint was controlled by the United States government in early 1861, before being taken over by the State of Louisiana who then turned it over to the Confederate States of America.

None of the coins were "authorized" for production and the mint staff took it upon themselves to turn the bullion into coins.  As no new dies would be available, the dies were oiled and some coins will show a pit on the obverse where the press came down and the oil displaced the silver.

The population of coins includes coins that were part of the SS Republic Shipwreck, others were paid out to Native Americans to fight for the Confederate States against the United States, still others were sent to  England by the Confederate States to purchase war supplies and were melted down and turned into Sovereigns lest the origin of the silver become known.

A fascinating yet moderately priced coin that I may have to add to my collection.  Pat was very knowledgeable and a good story teller.