Undated (ca. 1878) Washington - Bust of Apollo Mule. By John Adams Bolen and Joseph Merriam. Musante GW-695, Musante JAB W-8. Copper. MS-63 BN (NGC).An interesting muling of dies by two different Boston makers, Bolen (the obverse), and Joseph Merriam. The Merriam die was the near the end of its life, as it displays numerous die cracks throughout. The Bolen die, however, is quite clean. A very attractive piece in hand. It is published in Musantes work on Bolen that just five examples were struck in copper, and five in tin, these figures coming from W. E. Woodward who had close associations with the maker. A choice piece and clearly, very rare.
