1891 United States Assay Commission Medal. Silver. 33 mm. By Charles E. Barber and George T. Morgan. JK AC-34a. Rarity-5. Specimen-64 (PCGS).A beautifully toned near-Gem awash in a blend of olive-gray, silver-lilac and reddish-gold. Sharply struck with an inviting satin finish, there is not much keeping this medal from an even higher grade. The obverse portrait is that of Treasury Secretary William Windom. Since Windom died on January 29, 1891 and the commissioners received their medals in February of that year, the decision to use his portrait on this medal was obviously a hasty one that required a quick turnaround time from Engraver Charles E. Barber. The 1914 Mint catalog credits the reverse design to George T. Morgan, and it depicts a man conducting an assay beneath a Latin legend that translates as "Knowledge Crowns the Work."
