Sommer Is Shilling W-15495 White Metal Mule Kenney-4 Dickeson Copy

Coin Details

Description

A white metal (WM) mule of the Sommer Islands Shilling series cataloged as W-15495 and Kenney-4. This is the fourth cataloged mule variety in the Kenney classification, struck in white metal with a die combination distinct from the Kenney-2 white metal mule (W-15485). The existence of multiple white metal mule varieties indicates that Dickeson produced several different die pairings in this composition. White metal's low cost and ease of striking made it a natural choice for experimental or limited-production die combinations. The Kenney-4 pairing uses a specific obverse-reverse die combination that differs from all other cataloged varieties in the series. Dr. Montroville Wilson Dickeson's Sommer Islands copy program was remarkably comprehensive for a mid-19th-century private numismatic venture. The variety of metals and die combinations indicates a well-organized workshop with access to multiple dies and the technical capability to produce consistent strikings. The shilling denomination, as the largest and most prestigious in the original Sommer Islands series, naturally received the most attention from Dickeson. White metal Kenney-4 mules are scarce survivors from this complex production history. The W-15495 Whitman number and Kenney-4 designation provide precise identification for this specific variety within the broader Dickeson copy ecosystem.

Rarity Notes

Rare. White metal composition combined with a distinct mule die pairing makes this a scarce variety.

Cross References

W-15495; Kenney-4; Dickeson Copy Mule series; Original: Sommer Islands Shilling, circa 1616