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 Replies: 18 / Views: 2,393 |
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1130 Posts |
Hello everyone, I assumed confederate states of america when I bought this. Anyone have any ideas on use, or confirmation that it is confederate states? It has a hole running through it which implies it was attached to a document as a seal. It is approx 15 mm and weighs approx. 5.70 Thanks!   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2365 Posts |
I would say that it's a Confederate States ingot. The CSA was very poor nearing the end of the war and traded silver ingots for goods. Generally they used Mexican silver by melting it down into ingots. It's a cool piece. Looks very real to me. The weight seems too heavy for a "seal" but, heavy enough for a trade or purchase.
Edited by dsking
02/19/2023 11:29 am
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Pillar of the Community
 Italy
1130 Posts |
@dsking thank you! I did a bit of googling and couldn't find much information - do you know a source for these? I am very surprised these are silver. It does have a split center with a hole which made me think it was a lead/pewter seal of some sort. The seller also thought it was a 'bulla' like on church documents. Here is a photo of the edge.   Edited by Roma2021
02/19/2023 11:55 am
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6524 Posts |
Why would it have a hole through it?  |
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1130 Posts |
@Keith, that's why I initially thought it was a lead seal for a document. Poorly cast/molded? I also know nothing about CSA ingots.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2365 Posts |
Perhaps the hole was part of the melting process. It does look like two coins melted together. I suppose lead could be another possibility but, I don't believe so. I don't think that it would be double-sided for a seal. I don't have any particular websites to refer you to. I'm a huge Civil War buff and I do know that they did this. I'll see what I can find on-line for you.
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1130 Posts |
Thanks @dsking, I wasn't doubting you, just trying to find out more information. It is heavy for lead. I'll keep looking online too.
Someone suggested 'ordinance seal', but I imagine the CSA was not as concerned with these formalities.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2365 Posts |
Edited by dsking
02/19/2023 12:56 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6524 Posts |
Quote:
I'm a huge Civil War buff Me to  I'm 16 miles from Bull Run |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2365 Posts |
Quote:
Me to
I'm 16 miles from Bull Run Way cool Keith12! |
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1130 Posts |
@sdking thanks for sending those articles. I think the only gap I am looking to fill in understanding this is why would the CSA melt down recognized and assayed foresign silver and turn it into unrecognized silver ingots? One article says a soldier was paid in an 8 Reale. Also, why can't I find another example of this! haha. CSA notes are a dime a dozen; it doesn't make sense this would show up at a low dollar (euro) coin dealer at a weekly sunday market.
On another note, I am from NJ orginally - so much of the physical Civil War was far from my experiences growing up - but I did visit Richmond a few times and Vicksburg once. . .
Edited by Roma2021
02/19/2023 1:56 pm
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Valued Member
Canada
363 Posts |
Interesting find! It is a "seal" of sorts. Lead seals were used for many purposes..a twisted wire or homemade cable would secure cargo then a lead washer would be flattened and impressed at the same time securing the bundle...in this case csa and star. Early uses included fur from trappers being sent overseas...textiles ...and even train boxcars in recent times. If a shipper secured his shipment with a lead seal and it was removed or messed with then the shipment was tampered with in transit. Some old ones are really ornate Here is one from my collection.  Old lead patina does resemble old silver patina in ways but it's good ole lead. |
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1130 Posts |
@ironhorse, that was where I was leaning. I have handled far more seals (vatican and religious 'bulla') than confederate artifacts! This may have also been attached to an official document, but I feel it would be more specific if that were the case. I'm just looking for a comp. on these. Another example(s). Could this be from an export shipment to Europe from the CSA?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
I seriously doubt that this item is silver. I'm thinking a lead/pot metal substance. I'd take it to a coin or jewelry dealer who has an XRF analyzer gun to get a breakdown of the metal(s). Given its size, I suspect it may have been attached to a small pouch. The single star suggests that it might have emanated from Texas, perhaps? I'm not surprised to learn wherein it was found. A few years ago, a dealer-friend of mine, who frequently buys bulk lots of world coins and tokens, found a decent looking, G-VG 1794 Half Cent therein. I bought it .... He told me he'd previously found a VF copper-nickel Three Cent piece in a bag he bought. |
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1130 Posts |
Hi Exoguy....I live in Rome and I can confirm that some strange stuff shows up here, but usually within a genre... ie Morgans, halves, etc. I rarely find anything u.s. civil war related... All of my threads on this forum contain coins I've found here. My absolute best find was a 1800 over date 99 large cent. I think it was my first or second post ...  Edited by Roma2021
02/19/2023 2:57 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2365 Posts |
Quote:
It is a "seal" of sorts. I was just thinking that, on the side with the star, it appears to have a faint design and even "rays" on the edge. Plus there appears to be a rim edge in places. The Confederates did steal a lot of Reales and others to make their own "currency". They got desperate at the end of the war to survive. I guess it would depend what the "metal" is. That's interesting too. Good luck in your search. Edited by dsking
02/19/2023 3:09 pm
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Replies: 18 / Views: 2,393 |
Posted 02/19/2023 11:51 am
