1883 United States Assay Commission Medal. Copper. 33 mm. By George T. Morgan. JK AC-26b. Rarity-5. Specimen-64 BN (PCGS). Reflective fields reveal iridescent powder blue undertones. The finish is satiny with dominant copper brown patina. This is a lovely specimen, sharply struck, carefully preserved and very close to a full Gem rating.JK AC-26 is the first medal bearing President Chester A. Arthurs portrait struck in the United States Mint, predating the administrations Presidential and Indian Peace issues designed by Charles E. Barber. The Assay Commission medal is unsigned, but attributed to George T. Morgan in the 1914 Mint catalog. The reverse design, first used for the 1882 issue, exhibits Juno Moneta instructing putto in coin weighing, inspiration for the 1921 Wilson dollar of the Philippines. This Specimen-64 is far superior to the copper impression in the Keusch Collection, cataloged as Choice Extremely Fine in our (Stacks) November 2008 sale. Chief Engraver Charles E. Barbers personal specimen is also a lovely Choice example, as cataloged in our (Stacks) New York Americana Sale of January 2010. From the Richard Jewell Collection.
