1870 United States Assay Commission Medal. Copper. 33 mm. By William Barber. JK AC-8b. Rarity-3. MS-66 BN (NGC). Exquisite antique copper surfaces reveal vivid undertones of iridescent cobalt blue, pale lilac and pinkish-apricot. There is also pronounced reflectivity in the fields, which serves as an elegant backdrop to fully impressed, softly frosted design elements. Outstanding!The 1870 JK AC-8 is the most available of all 19th century Assay Commission medals with the vast majority of survivors in copper, as here. Among others in recent years, we (Stacks) sold four (!) copper impressions in our November 2008 Keusch Collection sale, and two additional specimens from the Collection of Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber in our January 2010 New York Americana Sale. The present example is far finer than most, however, and is sure to sell for a strong premium.W.E. Woodwards 69th Sale, October 1884, included a humorous description of this medal:<em>"A conglomerate design apparently intended to represent an alchemist surrounded by implements of the art. It suggests, however, Justice arrayed as a cook, brewing a cup of tea for a dog that seems patiently waiting while watching a snake that is making a determined effort to commit suicide by getting inside himself. Below this beautiful picture the name of Pollock is conspicuous..."</em>In actuality, the obverse design exhibits Moneta standing holding scales, Ouroboros (serpent of eternity) with watchdog, furnace and assay implements. Infinitesimal W.B. F./ J. POLLOCK DIRECTOR below. From the Richard Jewell Collection. Earlier from our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the Collections of Phillip Flannagan, Dr. Robert I. Hinkley, Dr. John C. Wong, and Tree Many Feathers, November 2001, lot 5365. Collector tag with provenance notation included.
