1866 Springfield Antiquarians medal by J.A. Bolen. Tin. 28mm. Musante JAB-23. MS-62PL (NGC).，Bright and brilliant with strong reflectivity in the fields and a sharp contrast between them and the frosty motifs. Scattered marks of various intensity are rather evenly distributed such that none stands out as a particular distraction. Called Tin by NGC on their grading holder, which composition Bolen is reported to have only struck a single piece in. However, Musante notes that Kline struck examples in a tough white metal alloy called "albitinum," which Kline himself claimed "is as white and nearly as hard as silver, and can scarcely be distinguished from the same; it is warranted not to tarnish or become dull, but will always keep as fine as when first struck from the dies." This piece is identified as being from the Q. David Bowers Collection on the grading holder. While we did have one in tin in his reference collection sold in January 2011, it was a different specimen. In any case, all are scarce and anything other than copper can reliably be called of extreme rarity.From the Tim Gabriele Collection.
