Confederate Sates Of America Coins

If the CSA had actually made coins, they would probably be considered a separate country. Unfortunately (for collectors), the only official coins struck in their name were a few pattern cents and half dollars and some modern restrikes of the same. Some coins were apparently struck at the New Orleans mint while in Confederate hands, but these were struck with old Union dies, and the bullion quickly dried up. Of course, there were plenty of issues of paper money and tokens for us to collect.

The key to considering "legitimacy" of a government, and therefore of the coinage, is international recognition. While the Union may never have formally recognised the secession, other countries (particularly the European powers) did do so, at least to the extent of declaring neutrality in the war, even if the much-sought-after full diplomatic recognition was never attained. Compare this situation with the Republic of Texas, which did receive formal diplomatic recognition from the United States and everyone else except Mexico, whom they seceded from.

The modern situation in Somalia also illustrates this. The northern third (former British Somaliland) seceded in the 1990's and effectively runs as an independent country; the central government is in anarchy and in no position to reinstate central rule. But international recognition has not been forthcoming, so Somaliland coins are considered "unofficial".

Of course, coin collectors are free to put their coins anywhere they like in their albums. As an OFEC (one from every country) collector, I'm after as many countries as I can get, so you'll find my Confederate States notes under "C" in my albums, in between Comoros and Congo. The Pick catalogue does the same.

I stand on the same side as Sap. If a coin says it is minted in a country, I - as a collector- consider that there is / was such a country.
Of course politics is much more complicated.
For instance Cyprus; an island in Mediterranean Sea.
Since 1974, Northern half of the Island is ruled by The Cyprus Turks, under the name of Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic.
No other country recognises this republic (lately Azerbaijan seemed to recognise them, yet I'm not sure), but they have their currency, their coins and the north part is practically a different country.

As I said, to me a different coin is a piece worth collecting regardless international recognition of the country. It should be remembered that many countries did / do practically exist but are not recognised due to some political issues.