Page 48 - september-23

This little 22-caliber pistol is not from wartime but was made
circa 1875. There are several other similar pistols of the era with other
patriotic or interesting names like “Blue Jacket,” “Red Jacket,”
“Defender,” “Dictator,” and more. Often called “suicide specials” by
collectors, this genre of cheaply made spur trigger pistols competed
with Colt and Smith & Wesson at a lower price point. This revolver is
typically priced at $150-$250 in this condition. Norwich Falls Pistol
Company made this little revolver and many others. Owner Otis Smith
never put his name on these substandard novelties but did put his name
This Appomattox parole (parole of honor) was Welch’s sworn promise (in writing) to on his better-made revolvers.
refrain from any military activities on behalf of the Confederates States in exchange for
the freedom to go anywhere the parolee chose to go. So long as the men observed the
terms of their parole, they were not to be interfered with by Federal authorities. Paroles
were signed by many different officers, always a higher rank than paroled soldiers. W.
H. Harder who signed this one was captain of Company “G” 23rd Tenn Vols.
This Appomattox parole (parole of honor) was Welch’s sworn
promise (in writing) to refrain from any military activities on behalf of
the Confederates States in exchange for the freedom to go anywhere the
parolee chose to go. So long as the men observed the terms of their
parole, they were not to be interfered with by Federal authorities.
Paroles were signed by many different officers, always a higher rank
than paroled soldiers. W. H. Harder who signed this one was captain
of Company “G” 23rd Tenn Vols.
Civil War Union YMCA-produced hymnal with wonderful This little 22-caliber pistol is not from wartime but was made circa 1875. There are
several other similar pistols of the era with other patriotic or interesting names like
“capture” information by Sargt. Welch. Similar items were popular “Blue Jacket,” “Red Jacket,” “Defender,” “Dictator,” and more. Often called “suicide
souvenirs by soldiers North and South picked up on battlefields. specials” by collectors, this genre of cheaply made spur trigger pistols competed with
This document is a clerical copy of the order that allowed passage Colt and Smith & Wesson at a lower price point. This revolver is typically priced at
through Union lines to get back to Tennessee. Often the parole will be $150-$250 in this condition. Norwich Falls Pistol Company made this little revolver
stamped on the reverse showing the RR passage receipt. and many others. Owner Otis Smith never put his name on these substandard novel-
ties but did put his name on his better-made revolvers.
John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert on Civil War memorabilia. He is an accredited member of various appraiser
organizations. He can be contacted at 770-329-4984. If you have a Civil War item for him to appraise, email a photo and a
description to him at: jsextonatlcom.ne@mindspring.com.

Hoard of 800+ Civil War-era Gold

Coins Unearthed in Kentucky Cornfield What might make
these coins sell for a
COINWORLD.COM – A multimillion-dollar hoard of more than had remnants of a premium is all the
800 U.S. Civil War-era coins was recently found in a cornfield some- cloth bag adhered mystery surrounding
where in the state of Kentucky. The cache includes 741 Coronet and to it, suggesting the
Indian Head gold dollars, a number of key date and finest known 1863 possibility the coins their discovery.
Coronet $20 double eagles and small numbers of Coronet $10 eagles were in a cloth bag
and Seated Liberty silver issues. when buried in
The gold dollars are dated from 1850 through 1862. the ground.
All of the excavated coins, being promoted under the “Great According to an article in USA Today, Each coin in the collection
Kentucky Hoard” label, are now authenticated, graded and encapsulat- was struck in 90% gold at the Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco,
ed by Numismatic Guaranty Co., following conservation by NGC New Orleans, or Carson City, Nevada, mints. These include U.S. Gold
affiliate Numismatic Conservation Services. Dollars from 1854-1862; $10 Gold Liberty (20) from 1840-1862; $20
The hoard is to be marketed within the next several months by Gold Liberty (8) from 1857 and 1862; $20 Gold Liberty (18) from
GovMint.com. 1863; and a small number of silver coins.
Veteran Kentucky numismatist Jeff Garrett from Mid American One of the 1863 Coronet double eagles carries damage from farm
Rare Coin Galleries in Lexington says the unnamed finder, who wishes equipment used in preparing the field for planting.
to remain anonymous, contacted him roughly three months ago seeking According to NGC, “During the American Civil War, the state of
numismatic advice and arranged to meet him at his coin store. Garrett Kentucky played an important role, as it bordered Union states in the
met with him and was overwhelmed by the magnitude of the man’s find. north and Confederate states in the south. Situated as such, tensions
“While I’m always excited when someone calls asking for advice were high from the beginning of the nation’s unrest, and when the war
about a rare coin discovery, the opportunity to handle The Great began in 1861, Kentucky Governor Beriah Magoffin asserted the state’s
Kentucky Hoard is one of the highlights of my career,” Garrett said. neutrality with the ‘Kentucky Declaration of Neutrality.’
“The importance of this discovery cannot be overstated, as the stunning “Despite the Declaration of Neutrality, the Civil War was a time of
number of over 700 gold dollars represents a virtual time capsule of great turmoil in Kentucky. Many families were pitted against one
Civil War-era coinage, including coins from the elusive Dahlonega another, and Kentucky saw much conflict. The Great Kentucky Hoard
Mint. Finding one Mint Condition 1863 Double Eagle would be an may have been a result of this conflict, with the coins lost for over 150
important numismatic event. Finding nearly a roll of superb examples years, until they were unearthed in a cornfield. Details of the location
is hard to comprehend.” and finder will remain confidential.”
The location where the hoard was discovered is not being disclosed, David Camire, NCS president and NGC grading finalizer, said
other than being described as a cornfield in Kentucky. Garrett said examining and conserving each coin also allowed him to identify several
most of the coins were found loose in the ground, although at least one errors and varieties among the coins.

46 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles