1961 Bashlow Restrike, Tin Cent

Coin Details

Auction Record

$720 MS63 11-26-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1961 Bashlow Restrike of the Confederate Cent in tin is a silvery-white piece with a distinctive soft, matte appearance characteristic of this low-melting-point metal. Tin has been used in numismatics since ancient times, often for trial strikes and emergency issues, and its inclusion in the Bashlow series adds a metal with genuine historical coinage associations to the multi-metal collection. Tin produces a softer, more muted impression than harder metals like nickel or copper-nickel, resulting in a Confederate cent with slightly rounded design details and a gentle, pearl-like surface quality. The metal’s natural resistance to atmospheric corrosion means that tin restrikes tend to maintain their original appearance well, though the surface can develop a subtle dulling over extended periods. Lovett’s Liberty head portrait and the agricultural wreath reverse appear with adequate definition, capturing the overall design effectively if not with the crispness seen on harder metal strikings. Tin occupies an interesting position in the Bashlow metal hierarchy — more substantial and traditional than the experimental red fiber pieces, but lighter and less lustrous than the precious metal or standard base metal restrikes. For collectors assembling a complete set of Bashlow metal varieties, the tin restrike offers a distinctive visual and tactile experience that contributes to the series’ exploration of how a single design translates across different materials.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Tin restrikes were produced in limited numbers during the 1961 program. They appear at auction periodically and are moderately priced among Bashlow varieties.