Undated (ca. 1867) Lincoln / Emancipation medal by J.A. Bolen. Musante JAB-28. Copper. Marked “B” on edge. MS-66 BN (PCGS).

25.3 mm. 165.0 grains. Intense blue and violet toning over the obverse while the generous red of the reverse is just beginning to fade to violet with an accent of deep blue here and there. Sharp and prooflike with a few faint die lines, as made, but virtually no visible handling. A superb piece with outstanding eye appeal. Struck on a fairly thick flan, certainly a Bolen original as his own personal reference specimen, and one of 16 reported struck in the 1868 AJN listing, which is probably the most reliable accounting considering that it was based on Bolen's notes, and he had cut the dies within just a year of publication. The thicker flan seen here matches that used for the 2011 Bowers Collection specimen (lot 6627) and the weights of the two are within five grains, so the Bowers piece seems to be on the identical planchet stock and is likely an original as well. The Musante Collection was missing this type entirely. Board Position: D 2/5

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