1936 United States Assay Commission Medal. JK AC-81, Baker B-348. Rarity-6. Bronze. MS-64 (NGC). 76 mm. Edge incuse ANNUAL ASSAY 1936 at 12 oclock. A lovely golden-brown example with subtle olive and copper highlights. A few faint, well scattered carbon flecks preclude a full Gem grade, but hardly affect the eye appeal. Sharply struck. It seems the design of the 1936 Assay Commission medal was overlooked until the last minute, at which point the Mint made the decision to mule the obverses of two regular Presidential medals then being sold to collectors. The Assay Commission medals thus created and presented to commissioners all had their edges inscribed ANNUAL ASSAY 1936, as above.The 1936 is one of the rarest of all Assay Commission medals, with examples very difficult to obtain and always in strong demand among specialists. The example in the Dreyfuss Sale realized $4,400, and it is particularly revealing that this issue was not represented in our (Stacks) November 2008 sale of the important Ernest E. Keusch Collection of United States Assay Medals. We anticipate an impressive winning bid for the Choice specimen offered here.
