Undated (ca. 1867) Washington / Jefferson muling by J.A. Bolen. Musante JAB M-9. Copper. Marked “B 5” on edge. MS-64 BN (PCGS).

25.4 mm. 161.5 grains. Exceptional aesthetic appeal due to the intense blue, violet and rose mottling on both sides. A bit of faded orange remains, adding to the appeal. Sharply struck on a fairly thick flan with reflective prooflike fields and sharp rims. A few faint die finishing lines are noted in the fields, as made, but there is little to mention in terms of handling. This is a beautifully preserved medal that has clearly been little disturbed since Bolen placed it in his custom collector's boards, shortly after he struck it. The Washington die is very fresh in appearance, more so than the JAB-25 in this sale, which was also struck from it. Similarly, the Jefferson die is also in the earliest observed state, with a thin die line passing through the O of JEFFERSON. There can be no question that this early die state is from Bolen's own shop, though J.W. Kline, who acquired the dies in 1872 is not known to have struck additional pieces in copper, anyway. We have offered medals from these dies five times over the last decade or so, all of which have been in white metal, and likely issues of Kline. Musante was missing this type completely in his collection and noted in his book that he had not seen an example. Indeed, the plate in the reference is a composite image, and he found no auction appearances. As with others in the series of mules offered here, one might wonder if the five struck should be taken today an aggressive estimate of those actually extant. This one, from Bolen's reference collection, is the prize of them all, even if all four others believed struck should eventually turn up. Board Position: C 2/2

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