JAB-02 BAR CENT FASCIMILE Silver

25mm - 12 struck

The dies were cut in 1862 and sold to W. Elliot Woodward prior to June of that year. Woodward forwarded them to George H. Lovett, who destroyed them per Bolen's instructions. This was Bolen's first attempt at copying a rare early American coin. It was once thought that the primary feature distinguishing the copy from the original was that the S passes over the A on the copy. However, recent research has shown that there are original Bar Cents with the S also passing over the A. The best diagnostic involves the reverse die. All originals have a spur on the near end of the second bar, which is lacking on the copies.

A choice uncirculated example sold in the Stack's May 2006 Ford sale for $7475 (lot 558). More recent appearances of this variety have realized $3500 - $4300 in AU to Uncirculated condition.