Born in New York City. Resident of Springfield, Massachusetts. Married with a son. Bolen was a member of the Springfield Antiquarian Society and a corresponding member of the American Numismatic and Archaeological Society. He was a respected numismatist.

Bolen issued a number of store cards between 1862 and 1869. Several include his image on the obverse. Author of An Accurate and Descriptive Catalogue of the Medals and Facsimiles Struck From Dies Made by J. A. Bolen in 1905.

He died in Springfield, Massachusetts.

He issued a number of copies of early American coins:

Bar Cent struck in 1862

Carolina Token struck in 1867

Confederato Cent struck in 1863

George Clinton Cent struck in 1869

Higley Copper struck in 1864

New York Cent struck in 1869

portrait: NUM 27 Oct 1914 page 476

bio: CW/NM 4/14/76

see: Kenney; Struck Copies of Early American Coins