Undated (ca. 1862) Avoid The Extremes of Party Spirit Medal. By John Adams Bolen. Musante JAB-6, Musante GW-563, Baker-258A. Oreide. MS-64 RB (NGC).27.8 mm. Generous rich orange-red surfaces with minor mellowing in the open fields, but invitingly close to the quality usually described as full red. Boldly struck and prooflike on both sides. Only trivial handling marks and patina spots are noted. The eye appeal is excellent, and this is struck on a thick flan, as typical of the issue. One of 75 recorded by Bolen to have been struck in this composition, but going back to 2005, our online archives only include 10 appearances of this medal, some being repeat offerings. As noted in Musante, this is a notable issue in that it is the first to appear in the alloy referred to as oreide. Musante gives the intended composition as 95% copper and 5% tin, which is technically bronze, but with higher than usual copper content. A desirable Washington portrait that appeals to collectors of that specialty as well.From the Claremont Collection. Earlier from our ANA Auction of August 2017, lot 27.
