Undated (ca. 1880) Bar Copper. Undescribed Struck Copy. Silver. Choice Extremely Fine.71.5 grains. While the Bolen copy is the most famous of the Bar copper struck copies, made rather notable by its mention in the Guide Book, there are several other species of struck copies of this famous and simple type coin. Most seem to date from the late 19th century. This diminutive silver struck copy shows deep antique gray toning and a glossy appearance. The die work is good, and an amateur could easily mistake this for a silver strike of the real thing - indeed, the intent to fool ignorant but rich collectors of the second half of the 19th century may be why these copies exist. Today, they are avidly collected. The late Mike Ringo formed an impressive reference collection of perhaps a dozen pieces, now dispersed. A Choice Proof example from his holdings brought $2,300 in our January 2010 Americana Sale.From the Renaissance Country Club Collection. Earlier from our (Stacks) C.B. Slade, Jr. Estate sale, June 2010, lot 2136.
