1880 United States Assay Commission Medal. Silver. 33 mm. By George T. Morgan and Charles E. Barber. JK AC-20a. Rarity-5. MS-63 PL (NGC). This otherwise untoned specimen exhibits subtle peripheral highlights of iridescent golden-copper that are more pronounced on the reverse. Boldly cameoed in finish, especially on the obverse, with a sharp strike and strong eye appeal.While a pattern (JK AC-22) and two mulings (AC-21 and 23) also exist for this date, AC-20 is the official Assay Commission medal of 1880 that the Mint prepared for distribution to the commissioners. Twenty nine silver impressions were delivered on February 10, 1880, for that purpose, along with five more a fortnight later for engraver George T. Morgan, and an additional four specimens on March 23 by Coiner Oliver C. Bosbyshell. Survivors are sufficiently scarce that one was not included in our (Stacks) November 2008 sale of the noteworthy Ernest E. Keusch Collection. From the Richard Jewell Collection. Acquired from Ray Flanigan, May 1, 2016. Collector tag with attribution and provenance notes included.
