867 J.A. Bolen Store Card. Musante JAB-24a. Copper. MS-64 RB (PCGS).

25.3 mm. 128.4 grains. Generous light rosy orange copper remains on both sides, with just slight mellowing to golden olive brown on the high points and traces of blue iridescence in the fields. A few light hairlines are noted, but the overall eye appeal is quite excellent and finer than others we have seen. In fact, this is a rather rare medal. There are only two examples in copper in our online archives, both from the Musante Collection, sold by us in 2014. According to Musante's research, the obverse die was reported as destroyed by 1881, and the reverse die was retained by Bolen, and sold to the ANS by his granddaughter in 1948. Therefore, the possibility of restrikes by any hand seem highly unlikely, suggesting that the original reported mintage in copper of 15 pieces is likely accurate. The rarity of the medals in the market is further supporting evidence. The Bowers Collection sold in January 2011 had only a white metal specimen.

From the E Pluribus Unum Collection.