Sommer Is Shilling W-15540 White Metal Mule Kenney-12 Dickeson Copy

Coin Details

Description

A white metal (WM) mule of the Sommer Islands Shilling series cataloged as W-15540 and Kenney-12. This is the fourth white metal variety in the Kenney mule classification (after Kenney-2, Kenney-4, and Kenney-7), making white metal the most frequently used composition for mule varieties in the Dickeson Sommer Islands copy series. The predominance of white metal among the Kenney mule varieties reflects the alloy's practical advantages for small-run numismatic production. Its low striking pressure requirements and ability to capture fine die details made it ideal for producing the limited quantities demanded by the collector market. However, white metal's long-term fragility has made well-preserved examples of all four varieties increasingly difficult to locate. The W-15540/Kenney-12 variety represents a unique die combination that can be distinguished from the other three white metal mules through careful examination of die characteristics. Over time, the surface of white metal develops a characteristic gray patina that differs from the toning patterns on copper or brass pieces. With four white metal varieties (Kenney-2, -4, -7, and -12), collectors face a significant challenge in assembling complete sets in this composition alone. The Dickeson Sommer Islands mule series, viewed as a whole, comprises one of the most complex and interesting subsets of 19th-century American colonial reproduction numismatics.

Rarity Notes

Rare. The fourth white metal mule variety; all white metal examples are fragile and well-preserved pieces are scarce.

Cross References

W-15540; Kenney-12; Dickeson Copy Mule series; Original: Sommer Islands Shilling, circa 1616