$500
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sold
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Description
10.25" (26 cm.) Posed upon the cast iron base with red painted frame and grassy ground cover is a harnessed mule upon which is seated a black boy in jockey like uniform. The coin is held in the rider's mouth, and when the lever is released, the mule kicks his back feet, tossing the rider forward and the coin is thrown into the receptacle below. Incised "Pat. Jul 22, 1879" on underside and with raised lettering "I always did ‘spise a mule" on ground. Very good/excellent, original painted finish with fading and rubbed patina, mechanism functions well. American, circa 1880, J. & E. Stevens.