1962 Confederate States Half Dollar - CSA Silver, Bashlow Restrike

Coin Details

Description

The 1962 Bashlow Restrike of the Confederate Half Dollar in silver is the most prestigious base-metal version in Robert Bashlow's Civil War centennial restrike program for the half dollar denomination. Silver was a natural choice for reproducing the Confederate half dollar, as the original 1861 coins were themselves struck in .900 fine silver at the New Orleans Mint. The silver composition provides a bright, lustrous surface that most closely approximates the appearance of the original 1861 Confederate half dollars. The Seated Liberty obverse — reproduced from the federal die that Confederate forces inherited when they seized the New Orleans Mint — appears with particular elegance in silver, and the Confederate reverse shield and agricultural wreath stand out with strong definition against the reflective white-metal fields. Among the Bashlow half dollar restrikes, the silver version commands the strongest collector interest due to both its precious metal content and its visual similarity to the genuine articles. While transfer dies rather than original dies were used, the silver composition creates a piece that evokes the original Confederate half dollars far more convincingly than the bronze or goldine alternatives. Silver Bashlow half dollar restrikes were produced in smaller quantities than the base metal versions, reflecting the higher material cost and the premium pricing Bashlow applied.

Rarity Notes

Scarce to rare among Bashlow restrikes. Silver half dollar examples were produced in more limited quantities than bronze or goldine. Available for $200-$500.

Cross References

Bashlow Restrike (1962, silver half dollar); NGC #886025