CSA Cents (1861)

The 1861 "Confederate States of America" cent is a fantasy coin, likely by Robert Lovett Jr. of Philadelphia. For years numismatic texts called the 1861-dated copper-nickel coin an original, but the first example appeared in 1873, after which 11 more were revealed and marketed along with "restrikes" in bronze, silver, and gold. The popular story that Lovett designed the coin after being contacted by the Confederacy is untrue—the latter controlled the New Orleans Mint and had their own engraver. Further, the design employs the French Liberty-head punch Lovett used on his store cards.