1860 R. Lovett Storecard Inspired The Confederate Cent R. Lovett Jr. Engraver and Die Sinker Philadelphia Start Price USD 9.99 Current Price USD 337.00 Time Left - Bid Count 26 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, July 25, 2008 End Time Friday, August 01, 2008 Location Orange, New Jersey See more about '1860 R. Lovett Storecard Inspired The Confederate Cent' Description 1860 storecard issued by Robert Lovett Jr., Philadelphia die sinker and maker of the 1861 Confederate pattern cent. The inscription reads R. Lovett Jr.Engraver & Die Sinker / Metallic Business Cards Philadelphia".This token has the same bust of Liberty used later on the Confederate cent. Mr Lovett was contacted by agents of the Confederacy and he agreed to design and manufacture cents for the Confederacy. He used his 1860 storecard as a model erasing his name and business and replacing them with "Confederate States of America" and the date 1861. He struck 12 examples but later got cold feet, fearing he would be hung as a traitor for aiding the enemy. He hid the coins and dies in his cellar, except for one which he carried as a pocket piece. This coin he accidently spent in 1873. It found its way to numismatist Capt. John W Haseltine who purchased it and recognized it as the work of Mr Lovett, its having the same effigy as his 1860 storecard. After initially denying he produced it he eventually admitted it and sold the dies and remaining coins to Mr Haseltine. These coins and the restrikes made by Mr Haseltine are very rare and sell for 10,000 to 150,000 dollars. In 1961 Robert Bashlow attained the dies, which had been defaced, and through transfer dies made copies in various metals. This 1860 storecard predates the Civil War and is sort of a prototype for Civil War tokens. It is eagerly sought after with its ties to the Confederate cents and is as close to an original as you can get without spending thousands. This example is struck in copper and is uncirculated. It is a little dirty but shows no wear and retains quite a bit of mint red. These tokens are rarely offered for sale, especially in this grade. A great piece of Americana! Place a Bid!