1942 Assay Commission Medal. Yellow Bronze. 58 mm. By John R. Sinnock and Pierre Simon DuVivier. JK AC-87, Baker E-348. Rarity-7. MS-66 (NGC).Edge inscribed to Commissioner Vernon L. Brown. The smooth surfaces exhibit overall deep golden-olive patination with microscopic darker flecks scattered about, as is usually seen on bronze U.S. Mint medals of this period. It is reported that just 18 examples were struck, utilizing previously existing designs for economy in production during the very early days of World War II. The recipient, Vernon L. Brown (b.1904), was curator of the Chase National Bank Numismatic Collections (now the CNB Money Museum) from 1939 to 1963 and served in various official positions in the American Numismatic Association during the same period as well. The competing obverse and reverse portraits, of Franklin Roosevelt and George Washington, will pit collectors of those two presidents, as well as collectors of Assay Commission medals in general, against each other to see who will take this rare one home!
