1862 United States Arsenal, Without Sun / Young America Muling. Dies by John Adams Bolen. Musante JAB M/E-3. Copper. MS-62 RB (NGC).27.9 mm. Generous warm, faded red throughout with the high points and more exposed surfaces mellowed a bit to olive-brown. A very original and untampered with appearance, seemingly a little nicer technically than the grade might suggest, but the surfaces appear slightly subdued by some natural oil buildup. A few trivial patina spots are noted. A very rare muling, for which Musante gives no suggestions as to mintage. A review of our archives suggest that the rarity is probably on par with JAB M/E-5, which George Mason is credited with having struck six of in each of three compositions, copper, brass and tin. Like the M/E-5, this obverse is seen in two states in this pairing, one early and one late, the later one with prominent chips and anomalies inside the rim as seen here. We suspect that the earlier-state pieces are by Mason, and the later state examples are by Edwards, but this is just conjecture based on our observations and what little is known with certainty. Both dies were cut by Bolen in 1862 and apparently sold by him to George Mason in short order. Edwin Johnsons 1882 listing does not include any mulings using this obverse die as by Bolen, yet the first example of this muling that Musante traced was in Woodwards Finotti sale, in November 1862. It would seem the dies were sold shortly after they were cut and used for the intended medals, and that Mason had mulings struck very quickly thereafter for the trade. Just three in copper appear in our online archives. This is the only example in the Heritage archives.From the Claremont Collection. Earlier from Heritages Dallas Signature Auction of April 2017, lot 19229.
