“1787" (ca. 1869) Standing Indian / Arms of New York muling by J.A. Bolen. Musante JAB M-11. Silver. Marked “B” on edge. MS-64 (PCGS).

26.1 mm. 91.3 grains. Lovely light silver gray accented by soft olive and pale blue toning on both sides. Lustrous and beautifully preserved save for a small tooling spot against the axe head that is easily overlooked. Another outstanding rarity from Bolen's personal reference collection. Struck over a 1745 LIMA George II Shilling, with the host coin's diagonally reeded edge easily seen. Other fairly strong artifacts from the undertype emerge as one studies the surfaces. Much of the regal portrait outline can be discerned as can be elements of the reverse legend and other features. Struck from the obverse in its early state, without the break at ATEM, though this is but a minor technical note on this distinctive and very rare piece. Just two are believed to have been struck in silver, and once again, the first silver appearance Musante was able to find was in the collection of "Springfield Antiquarian," James Parker, whose collection was sold in 1874 by Edward Cogan. Parker was the first listed on the Springfield Antiquarian medal, and was clearly a close associate of Bolen's, having purchased several of his rare works in silver. If the mintage of two is correct, then the other appearances noted by Musante in Woodward's 19th and Frossard's 34th, must be repeat appearances of the Parker medal. The currently offered piece bears Bolen's personal edge mark and seems to have remained in association with these other remnants of Bolen's reference collection since the time of striking. A very desirable muling of Bolen's prized colonial copy dies. Extremely rare in silver and a fascinating study for the 18th-century English shilling host on which it was struck. Board Position: C 3/1

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