1867 J.A. Bolen store card. No Obverse Signature. Copper. Musante JAB-24. MS-63RB (NGC). The obverse is rather striking upon first inspection, with an attractive array of deep rose, blue, violet and gold toning that makes this look like richly toned silver rather than copper. The reverse is a bit rosy at the center and lighter, but looks even more like silver in certain light. The peripheries are vibrant with blue-green iridescence. Sharply struck and deeply prooflike, especially on the obverse. Some Bolen pieces are known to have been silvered, and we have wondered if this might be one of them. It is reported that just 14 were struck by Bolen in copper and according to contemporary accounts, including that of Bolen himself, the obverse die was destroyed by him so no restrikes are possible. From the Henry South Collection; Tim Gabriele Collection; our sale of November 2017, lot 237.
