When
Louisiana seceded and seized the United States mint at New Orleans, there were thousands of dollars' worth of
gold and
silver bullion in store.
The State issued
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jointly with the Confederate government a gold coinage of $254,820 in double eagles, and a silver coinage of $1,101,316.50 in half-dollars, using the
United States dies of 1861, the dies of 1860 having been destroyed.
The bullion, when nearly exhausted, was transferred to the Confederate government, May, 1861, and all the
United States dies were destroyed, the Confederate government ordering a new die for its use. When completed it was of such high relief as to be useless in the press.
As there was but little if any bullion to coin, no attempt was made to engrave another.
Four pieces, however, half-dollars, were struck, which formed the entire coinage of the
Confederate States.
The coin shows—
Obverse: A goddess of liberty within an arc of thirteen stars.
Exergue, 1861.
Reverse: An American shield beneath a liberty-cap, the upper part of the shield containing seven stars, the whole surrounded by a wreath: to the left, cotton in bloom; to the right, sugarcane.
Legend:
Confederate States of American.
Exergue: Half Dol. Boarders, milled; edge, serrated.
