(c.1876) Medal JAB-K-1 Copper Jefferson / Jackson

Coin Details

Auction Record

$480 MS63BN 11-30-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

This circa 1876 copper striking of the JAB-K-1 medal by John Adams Bolen pairs Thomas Jefferson on the obverse with Andrew Jackson on the reverse. The copper composition was one of the standard metals Bolen employed for his medallic productions, offering excellent detail reproduction and a warm reddish-brown tone that develops an attractive patina over time. Bolen's copper strikings typically show sharper definition than his white metal versions due to copper's superior flow characteristics under pressure. Jefferson and Jackson represented two towering figures of early American democracy whose political philosophies shaped the nation's first half-century. Bolen's decision to pair these two presidents — both champions of agrarian republicanism and opponents of centralized banking — reflects the medallist's engagement with American political history. The K-1 designation in the Bolen catalog identifies this specific die combination among the various presidential pairings Bolen created. Working from his shop in Springfield, Bolen used a hand-operated screw press to strike his medals, producing each piece individually with careful attention to the striking pressure and die alignment. His copper strikings are prized by collectors for their warmth and the way copper captures fine engraving details that may be lost in softer metals like white metal or lead.

Rarity Notes

Bolen typically struck 20-50 pieces in copper for each die combination. JAB-K-1 in copper is scarce but slightly more available than the silver version.

Cross References

PCGS #887039; JAB-K-1 (Copper)