John,

I have read where many of the early hat pins and "stars" ( worn a lot by Texans and Mississippians) and were made from silver coinage ( mostly US dollars ) . Concerning , I can't say. There is another guy with the 5th Texas Cavalry reenactors that told me one that he had a bunch of original information on the uniforms of ,at least the western theater ( the "real" west)CSA Texas mounted units . I'll see if I can't find his emaIL ADDRESS tonight. I think they were with the Fort Griffin ( Griffth ?) group.
You may know them . CAM