1871 United States Assay Commission Medal. Copper. 33 mm. By William Barber. JK AC-10b. Rarity-5. Without Directors Name. MS-67 BN (NGC). Outstanding antique copper surfaces are richly and originally toned, with semi-reflective qualities in the fields on both sides. Virtually pristine, as befits the assigned grade, with a full strike and abundant eye appeal.JK AC-10 was probably the first variety prepared for the year; the authors of the Julian-Keusch reference on Assay Commission medals speculate that it was rejected by Mint Director James Pollock because the clouds within the doorway framing Archimedes resulted in a somewhat cluttered appearance. When Chief Engraver William Barber prepared a new die without the clouds, he also added the inscription J. POLLOCK / DIRECTOR in exergue, creating the JK AC-9 variety, offered above. Our offerings of AC-10 in copper have been few and far between over the years, and this Superb Gem is easily the finest that we can recall handling. From the Richard Jewell Collection. Earlier from Heritages Long Beach Signature Auction of September 2006, lot 6571. Lot tag and collector tag with attribution and provenance notes included.
