1861 C.S.A. Half Dollar, Scott Restrike Breen-8002, AU Details

1861 50C Scott CSA Restrike, Breen-8002, Bertram-B861-267 -- Scratch -- PCGS Genuine. AU Details. In 1861, the Chief Coiner for the Louisiana Mint was Benjamin F. Taylor. After the four original C.S.A. half dollars were struck, Taylor retained the C.S.A. die. In 1879, he sold it to dealer Ebenezer Locke Mason, who then sold it to leading dealer J.W. Scott. Scott had his staff locate 500 1861-dated half dollars. The reverses were planed off, then stamped with the C.S.A. die. Examples have a flattened appearance on the Federal side, while the C.S.A. side is sharp. The present untoned piece has a sharp and unmarked Confederate side with hints of aqua residue at the margins. The Federal side exhibits myriad wispy marks, made during an idle hour long ago.