The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 49, December 2, 2007, Article 19

BASHALOW CONFEDERATE CENT RESTRIKES IN GOLD INFORMATION SOUGHT

Harold Levi writes: "I am working on the second edition
of my book on the Confederate cent. There are a few minor
adjustments here and there. The primary focus is in the
chapter on Bashlow restrikes. As I continue of try to
unravel the restrikes, I am having a real problem with
gold Bashlow restrikes. Most of the ones I am aware of
are on thin (normal) thickness planchets, which create
three problems.

"First, David Laties (Bashlow's business partner) has
stated, to me, that only three gold restrikes were made,
all on thick planchets.  Mr. Laties still has his, the
Smithsonian Institution still has theirs (confirmed by
Dr. Richard Doty – Thank You, Sir), and Bashlow lost
his a long time ago (no, it was not in Walter Breen's
estate).

"Second, Bashlow stated that he made the restrikes on
thick planchets because he feared the Secret Service
would confiscate the restrikes because of being in the
likeness of U.S. coins. He wanted the restrikes to be
noticeably different than the originals or Haseltine
restrikes. Obviously, Bashlow did not understand that
Confederate coins are not U.S. coins, and the Secret
Service would not have responded. Bashlow admitted to
making a few “experimental strikes” on thin planchets
before settling on thick planchets (1976 letter Tom
DeLorey made public in E-Sylum Nov-12-2006).

"Third, I have a serious problem with The Gold Confiscation
of April 5, 1933. I doubt that newly struck gold Bashlow
copies would have qualified as rare and unusual coins as
defined in Section 2(b) of the act, nor would they qualify
under any other section. However, before I put my foot in
the proverbial “it,” would one of our attorney friends be
willing to express an opinion on this issue? I would be
most appreciative. Remember, this was late 1961 and early
1962.

"My argument is that the three verified thick planchet
gold restrikes were made clandestinely, at least as far
as Bashlow was concerned, because of The Gold Confiscation
of April 5, 1933. The gold copy given to the Smithsonian
Institution was not listed in the published inventory (Coin
World), but was donated in secrecy along with the many other
items listed in the published inventory. Bashlow never
offered any gold restrikes for sale, thick or thin planchet.
Therefore, all gold Bashlow restrikes are fakes, except the
three known and verified thick planchet copies mentioned above.

"I would appreciate any and all comments and information
on this subject. I can be contacted at haroldlevi@hotmail.com."

 BASHLOW'S CONFEDERATE CENT RESTRIKES
 esylum_v09n46a20.html

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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