(c.1864) Medal JAB-M/E 11 White Metal Small Star Confederatio

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,200 MS63 11-30-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

This circa 1864 white metal medal is cataloged as JAB-M/E 11, the white metal version of Bolen's "Small Star Confederatio" experimental muling. White metal — typically a tin or lead-based alloy — gives this piece a bright silvery appearance that contrasts with the copper and brass versions of the same die combination. Bolen's practice of striking his designs in multiple metals created a matrix of varieties that gives his series extraordinary depth for collectors. The Confederatio design reference places this piece at the intersection of Bolen's personal medallic art and the broader study of early American coinage, as the original Confederatio coppers of the 1780s remain among the most studied and debated issues in American numismatics. White metal versions of any Bolen design are typically produced in smaller numbers than copper, making this among the scarcer versions.

Rarity Notes

JAB-M/E 11, white metal. Scarcer than copper version. Very limited production typical of Bolen experimental pieces.

Cross References

PCGS #886999; JAB-M/E 11; Small Star Confederatio, White Metal