1794 (ca. 1862) United States Arsenal Medal, Without Sun. By John Adams Bolen. Musante JAB-4. Copper. MS-63 BN (NGC).27.8 mm. Soft blue and violet iridescence dominates both sides while outlines of rich retained copper red are seen around the U.S. Arsenal building on the obverse. Slight olive mottling is noted on the reverse and soft prooflike reflectivity remains through the fields. A lovely specimen, beautifully struck and with minimal handling. Probably one of Bolens reported 75 struck, as noted in the annotations of his notebook, and in the 1868 <em>AJN</em> listing.<p>Bolen, in his own hand, referred to this medal, without the sun, as "a more correct view of the building," clarifying that it was a second attempt at the design in which he found greater satisfaction. Not terribly rare, but still missing from Musantes collection in this metal.From the Claremont Collection. Earlier ex Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society; Heritages Long Beach Tokens & Medals Signature Auction, June 2016, lot 99369.
