(c.1869) Copper Medal Rulau Ma-Sp48, JAB-35, J.A. Bolen

Coin Details

Auction Record

$660 MS66BN 11-30-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Copper medal by John Adams Bolen (1826-1907) of Springfield, Massachusetts, circa 1869. Cataloged as JAB-35 in the Bolen die sinker reference and Ma-Sp48 in Rulau. Bolen was one of the most skilled private die sinkers in American history, producing medals, tokens, and copies of rare coins in extremely limited quantities from his Springfield workshop. His work is characterized by meticulous engraving, sharp detail, and very low mintages, typically fewer than 50 pieces per die pair. JAB-35 represents one of his larger-format pieces in the medal category rather than the smaller token format. Copper, 29mm. The decades following the Civil War witnessed both economic expansion and the emergence of organized coin collecting, as specialized dealers and auction houses established the numismatic marketplace. Massachusetts tokens reflect New England's long commercial tradition, from colonial-era merchants to the industrialized economy of the 19th century.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Original Bolen medal from the JAB-35 die pair. Bolen's medals are scarcer than his tokens due to even smaller production runs. Dual catalog attribution (Rulau + JAB) aids identification. Collected by die sinker specialists, Massachusetts numismatists, and 19th century American medal enthusiasts.

Cross References

JAB-35; Rulau Ma-Sp-48; PCGS #669125