Washington Medals 1860-69

obverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

reverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

Baker 258A           Avoid extremes of party spirit           [1862]         Bolen             Springfield, MA

Obverse:   GEORGE     WASHINGTON [below bust] J. A. BOLEN
Reverse:   AVOID / THE / EXTREMES/ OF PARTY / SPIRIT

Oreide       Weight:  215.0 g   (13.93 grams)           Diameter:  27.9 mm           Reverse die alignment: 360°

Comments:  This medal was designed by the engraver James Adam Bolen of Springfield, Massachusetts as an expression of anti war sentiment for those hopeful for a political negotiation rather than a military response to the Confederacy.

The obverse displays an bust left portrait of Washington in civilian dress while the reverse has the legend within an oak wreath. Six examples were struck in silver, seventy five in oreide, a few in brass and others in white metal. Bolen explained oreide was his term for an alloy of copper with a small gold content.

Provenance:  Part of an anonymous donation consisting of 1100 tokens and medals covering the Nineteenth century, primarily up through the Civil War era.

Reference: Rulau and Fuld, p. 118.

1860-69b	Section Contents	1860-69c