1794 (ca. 1862) Arsenal with Sun. Bronze. 28 mm. Musante JAB-3. MS-64 RB (NGC).This wonderfully original example exhibits iridescent golden-brown patina to otherwise bright orange surfaces. Satiny in finish and nicely preserved, there is much to recommend this piece to the discerning collector. The United States Arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts is the subject of this medal, struck to recognize the facilitys status as the chief supplier of small arms to the Union Army at the start of the Civil War. The original mintage of this type in copper (and/or bronze) is just five pieces, although six more were issued by George B. Mason, to whom Bolen sold the dies. Mason later sold or traded the dies to Dr. Frank Smith Edwards, who produced additional examples.From the Ralph A. Edson Collection.
