The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-04-04
The Four Coins Struck on By the Con.
federate Government.

IL has been believed and recorded ~
m historical fact, says the PHILADELPHIA
Ltc0rd, that the Southern Confederacv
hal no metallic currency. After a lapse
Of - years evidence now pr, sents itself
70 show that four coins werC struck of
at the New Orleans Mint while that
place was in the possession Of the Con-
federate Government. This discovery
has been brought about by \ Record
item, entitled "A Craze for Coins y
which gave the fancy prices placed upon
rare pieces
few days subsequent to the publica-
ton. Mr.. Mason, the numismatist OF l43
North Tenth Street, who was incident
ally referred 70 in the article, received q
communication from b. +. Taylor, M.
d, the Secretary and Treasurer of the
Louisiana State Board of Health, giving
the information that he had Confede-
rate coin in his possession. In reply.
MIR. Mason wrote for = lead pencil rub
bing OF the piece, at the same time ex-
pressing doubt as to the existence Of
any genuine coins Of the Confederate
States The return mail brought rub
brig of the coin.
The diverse represents a liberty cap.
above the American shield, the union Of
the latter containing seven stars, repre-
senting the seven seeding States, the
whole being surrounded with a wreath
Of sugar cane and cotton in bloom and
the motto "Confederate States of Ameri-
ca" The reverse has the Goddess Of
Liberty with the IS stars, representing
the States from which the Confectionery
rTaf . 10. I.s< xlr0
The history of the coin may be brief
~ recapitulated from Mr.. Taylor's
statement. When the New Orleans
Mint was taken possession Of by the
Confederates in April, 1861, the original
dies of the United States were Cancelled
in the presence Of the officials connect
ed with the building. The Confederate
Cabinet, which was then sitting at Mont
issued orders for design for
q Confederate currency to Mr.. TAYLOR.
who was then Chief Coiner of the Mint.
The above design was submitted and
and orders were issued for
the striking of Of specimen pieces.
Four half-dollars were accordingly coin
ed, and these also, following the design.
we're approved by the Cabinet. Then
came an obstacle. That BODY found
hat IL had not control of sufficient
bullion TO proceed with an issue of coins,
and, consequently, the matter was de-
erred. and a temporary issue Of paper
money decided upon.
OF the four coins struck, one is in the
possession Of one of the chiefs of the
Government. the second
vas presented to Prof. Biddle OF the
University Of louisiana; the third to
Dr.. Ames of New Orleans, and the
curth was retained by Chief Conner
Taylor, by permission Of the Cabinet.
II is noteworthy fact that all the in
!ividuals who we've connected with the
oinage. including the Superintendent
4 the Mint, assayer, coiner, engraver,
lie -sinker, down to the man who held
he chisel and used the hammer, in the
anceling Of the old and new dies, are
wing at the present time. To Mr.. Ma
On, in whose hands the coin has been
laced. quite q number Of bids have
cen made b. numismatic and historical
ocieties for the purchase of this rare
elic Of TIE rebellion.
silver-plated electrotype copy is to
e sent TO all societies interested in such
iafters, but they will all cry for the
riginal.