1737 (ca. 1864) Higley Copper. Copy by John Adams Bolen. Musante JAB-10, Kenney-4, W-14275. THE VALVE OF THREE PENCE / CONNECTICVT, 3 Hammers. Brass. MS-65 (PCGS).29 mm. A beautiful example of this very desirable medal featuring exceptional surfaces aglow with lively cartwheel luster. Light golden patina with just a trace of subtle olive mellowing. Almost no handling marks are seen. This is No. 11 in both Bolens notebook and in the 1868 <em>AJN</em> listing, and in both cases the mintage is given as 20 in copper. By the time Edwin Johnson published on the matter in 1882, the mintage had changed to two in silver and 40 in copper (with a note of one in nickel). The ANS has Bolens own copper example, the edge marked 40 STRUCK. Brass examples are not mentioned and must have been struck by Dr. Edwards after Bolen sold him the dies, as noted in the <em>AJN</em>. The production number is unknown, but brass impressions seem to be equally as rare as the silver ones.From the Claremont Collection. Earlier from our June 2020 Auction, lot 251.
