1870 United States Assay Commission Medal. Aluminum. 33 mm. By William Barber. JK AC-8c. Rarity-3. AU-55 (NGC). Original silver gray surfaces with wisps of pale olive-russet enhancing both sides. Sharply defined with much of the original finish remaining, this is a superior quality example for the assigned grade that shows only minimal signs of handling.While the 1870 is the most plentiful of all 19th century Assay Commission medals, the vast majority are struck in copper. Relatively few pieces exist in aluminum, as here, a metal that at the time this piece was produced was more valuable than gold. From the Richard Jewell Collection.
