Expert: PAPAJACK - 4/30/2008

Question
I have a half dollar which on one side is a sheild with a bee hive like emblom at the top of the sheild with half dollar at the bottom and on back it has the same only with the date 1861 on it. Is this real or fake and whats it worth?

Looks like this only differance is on the other side it has the date 1861 at the bottom.
http://www.coinfacts.com/confederate_coins/1861_scott_restrike_obv.jpg

Answer
Hello Stephen,                               

There were so few made that there are still replicas sold as souvenirs as well as token pieces made for clubs and such. Many are called fantasy pieces and sold as a novelty.
Since you say you have the same design on both sides of your coin except for the date I would say it is a copy and any value is questionable.
And some unscrupulous people are modifying them to look more like an unknown original to sell to coin collectors.

I will guess there are a hundred different variations on the confederate coins.

The original reverse did not have a beehive design at all but a shield with stripes and stars and a slave cap on a pole.
Quote “On the reverse there is a shield with seven stars, representing the seceding States; above the shield is a liberty-cap, and entwined around it stalks of sugar cane and cotton, "Confederate State of America."“
Here are some images;
http://www.csacurrency.com/csacoin/csa50ctb.jpg
The obverse has the actual Seated Liberty design from 1861 on it.
http://www.csacurrency.com/csacoin/csa50ctf.jpg

I hope I answered you question. Feel free to write me again.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack