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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Confederate coin or medallion
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Question
In 1963, my father found, among some very valuable items in the settlement of an estate, a gold token or medal that is a replica of the Confederate Seal, with the eagle on the back. It is about the size of a nickel, very beautiful and perfect, and tested at over 21 carat.
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Since the early '60s my relatives and I have tried to find out its historical significance. We have contacted several experts in the Civil War history, Civil War Roundtables and similar groups, academics in various universities, as well as some coin experts. No one has seen anything like it. Several have speculated that it is a limited circulation replica of the Confederate seal, but acknowledge that this is just a guess.
Do you have any ideas about the item or its history, or perhaps some leads that I might follow in my search?
Doug. I'm not sure what your item is except to say that it is neither a Civil War contemporary Confederate coin or a Confederate Medal. It does not at all like like a coin, no date or denomination, and has only a passing resemblance to a seal. I would guess that is a modern private mint replica of the Confederate Seal, the Eagle is a French style from Napoleons period proceeding the US Civil War, and would never had been used by either a Confederate or a Union Die Sinker from the period. If you spectrograph the metal you will probably find the the alloy in the item is a modern mix of metal, and not at all like the period pieces. With that in mind enjoy your item.
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Coin and Paper Money Collecting
Answers by Expert:
Neil S Berman
Expertise
Professional Coin Dealer since 1968. Speciality is US Gold Coins by date, but can answer questions about any US, Colonial or Territorial coin made or issued in the United States from 1650 to 1965.
Experience
Wrote: Coin Collecting for Dummies, Investors Guide to US Coins. Please include a photograph if asking about authenticity or value by email to: nsberman@msn.com
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