Undated (ca. 1865) Abraham Lincoln / With Malice Toward None medal by J.A. Bolen. Musante JAB-20. Brass. Marked “B 1 IN BRASS” on edge. MS-66 (PCGS).

25.3 mm. 147.4 grains. Rich golden brass with faint overtones of golden brown on the obverse and flecked violet and blue through the reverse fields. Sharply struck on what Musante would have described as a flan of medium thickness. Only a few trivial patina spots, none of which is easily seen without magnification. As noted in the above description, there is disagreement in the contemporary literature as to how many of these medals were struck in the various compositions. The Johnson listing gives 40 in brass, while the annotated Bolen notebook (and June 1868 AJN listing) mentions a single piece in brass. The Bolen/ AJN entries are supported by this specimen which clearly indicates it is unique directly on the edge. A lone specimen in brass was mentioned by Musante in the introductory text as having been struck by Bolen, but it seems to have been erroneously listed as having the die break, based on the suggestion that the die broke "when Bolen struck the sole brass example." This is the medal referenced and is clearly the early state. Considering the popularity of Lincoln medals in general, it is one of the great finds from the Bolen boards. It is being offered here publicly for the first time. Board Position: A 3/3

From the E Pluribus Unum Collection. Earlier from the personal reference collection of John Adams Bolen.