The U.S. Mint tried vainly to keep coins in circulation in 1862, as the hostilities between North and South made the outcome of the 'great conflict' increasingly in doubt. Silver and gold coins disappeared first, and by July 15 even Indian Head cents had vanished from circulation. The Mint pumped out more than 1.3 million gold dollars, but most of them were hoarded, to reappear only decades later, if at all.