Description

760B-1e 1864 Washington / Soldier’s Fair, Springfield Medal. By John Adams Bolen. Musante JAB-16, GW-679, Baker-365. White Metal. AU-55 (NGC)…..27.7 mm. Generous prooflike reflectivity remains on the largely light gray surfaces that exhibit only a light trace of deeper gray toning. Some light handling is evident, as usual for this issue, and a couple of tiny pesting spots are noted on the rims.

The Soldiers’ Fair was held in Springfield from December 19 to 24, 1864. It was a charitable event, with proceeds earmarked for the Soldiers’ Rest, a facility maintained for soldiers who were traveling through Springfield by rail. The event was staged in the Springfield City Hall. A special newspaper, The Springfield Musket, was issued during the fair. Therein, it was noted that John A. Bolen, “one of the best die sinkers in New England,” was on hand and had struck hundreds of medals in recent days. This is the medal referred to. Its distribution was clearly to the general public, rather than into collector’s hands, explaining why the condition seen here is about as nice as these are ever seen.…