Sommer Is Shilling W-15525 C-N Mule Kenney-9 Dickeson Copy

Coin Details

Description

A copper-nickel (C-N) mule of the Sommer Islands Shilling series cataloged as W-15525 and Kenney-9 in the Dickeson copy program. Copper-nickel is one of the harder and more durable alloys used in the series, producing a silvery-white piece with excellent resistance to corrosion and wear. The Kenney-9 designation (note the jump from Kenney-7 to Kenney-9, with Kenney-8 apparently assigned to another variety not in this grouping) identifies this as a distinct die combination struck in copper-nickel. This alloy became widely available for coinage in the 1850s and represents a relatively modern material choice for Dickeson's mid-19th-century production. Copper-nickel Dickeson copies and mules tend to survive in better physical condition than their white metal or soft copper counterparts. The alloy's hardness resists surface damage and oxidation, making well-preserved examples more readily available relative to production numbers. However, the total production of any individual Kenney variety was small, keeping all examples scarce. The W-15525/Kenney-9 copper-nickel mule appeals to collectors who value both the durability of the composition and the collectibility of a specific, cataloged die combination. It represents one of the more accessible compositions for building a Kenney variety set while still being genuinely scarce in absolute terms.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Copper-nickel examples tend to survive in better condition than softer metals but are equally scarce in terms of original production.

Cross References

W-15525; Kenney-9; Dickeson Copy Mule series; Original: Sommer Islands Shilling, circa 1616