1869 United States Assay Commission Medal. Silver. 33 mm. By William Barber. JK AC-5a. Rarity-5. No Stars. AU-58 (NGC).Wonderfully original surfaces are predominantly pewter gray in appearance, deeper charcoal highlights reserved for the protected areas around the borders and devices. Boldly defined throughout, wispy handling marks and a shallow edge bruise at 3 oclock on the obverse are noted. This is the replacement type for the original Assay Commission medal of 1869 with stars around the obverse border, which die was withdrawn from production early in the year due to a prominent break at star 5 (see below in the following lot). The Mint produced at least 40 silver impressions of this issue, 21 in February and 19 in April. This is the type that was probably actually distributed to Commission members (as opposed to its With Stars counterpart), survivors scarce in hobby circles.From the Newmark Collection. Earlier from our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the David W. Dreyfuss Collection, April 1986, lot 5006; Presidential Coin & Antique Co.s sale of the Rich B. Dusterberg Collection, October 2000, lot 320. Lot tags included.
