(c.1864) Medal JAB-9 Oreide J.A. Bolen / Liberty Cap

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,880 MS65 11-30-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

This circa 1864 oreide medal, cataloged as JAB-9, is a striking variant of Bolen's Liberty Cap design produced in oreide — a gold-colored copper alloy also known as "oroide" or "golden bronze" that was popular in nineteenth-century jewelry and medallic work. Oreide simulated the appearance of gold at a fraction of the cost, making it an attractive medium for medal production. Oreide Bolen pieces are among the rarest composition variants in the series, as Bolen used this alloy only occasionally. The golden appearance of oreide gives this medalet a distinctive visual character quite different from the standard copper, brass, or silver versions. Collectors of the Bolen series prize oreide pieces for their unusual composition and the visual appeal of the gold-toned surface, which makes them stand out in any display of Bolen's work.

Rarity Notes

JAB-9, oreide. Extremely rare composition variant. Oreide Bolen pieces are among the scarcest in the series. Fewer than 10 struck.

Cross References

PCGS #887084; JAB-9; J.A. Bolen / Liberty Cap, Oreide