"1737" (1860s) Higley Copper. Bolen Copy. Musante JAB-10, Kenney-4, W-14275. THE VALVE OF THREE PENCE / CONNECTICVT, 3 Hammers. Brass. MS-61 (NGC).

28.1 mm. Deep golden-brass with some areas of darker mottled patina in places that feature fingerprint patterning, likely those of a famous collector or perhaps even Bolen himself! Soft luster and good detail that far exceeds that found on the typical original Higley coinage. Bolen did nice work, and his copies of colonial coins, though deemed a bit controversial amongst some collectors of Bolen's time, have long been highly sought after and among the most prized of Bolen's medals. The number struck in brass is unknown, but they are believed to have been made by Dr. Frank Smith Edwards after Bolen sold the dies to him. Though not particularly scientific, a survey of appearances in our sales archives indicate that brass examples might be scarcer even than silver ones, as this is the least represented composition in terms of appearances, with silver next in line and coppers the most prevalent.

From Heritage's sale of the Eric P. Newman Collection, November 2018, lot 15022.