1861 Mint Set with Gold

As the nation descended into Civil War, small change (particularly silver coins) quickly disappeared from circulation. While mintages remained high, hoarding resulted in severe shortages, and tokens, postage currency and fractional paper money quickly replaced "hard metal" coins. Both the 1861-S Dime and Quarter are scarce coins, and the Quarter is unknown in Mint State! The nation's few coin collectors were located on the East Coast, so very few (if any) San Francisco coins were preserved in Uncirculated condition. The gold coinage issues are far more numerous than the bronze and silver coinage oweing to the fact that the Charlotte and Dahlonega mints were still in operation for a part of the year. It is here a major rarity (the 1861-D Gold Dollar) is found. With a mintage of only 1,250 pieces, it was struck under the flag of the Confederacy and is in great demand in all grades. A similar story surrounds the Half Eagles struck at these two Southern mints. Both mints were occupied in April of 1861, and at least a portion of their mintage was under the auspices of the Confederate States. Additionally, the Half Eagles and Eagles of the San Francisco mint are extremely rare to unknown in Mint State. In all, this is a large and very challenging set.