1922 United States Assay Commission Medal. Bronze. 51 mm. By George T. Morgan. JK AC-66a. Rarity-4. Edge Incuse B.G. SHIELDS. MS-65 (NGC). Pale rose-gray and warmer sandy-gold patina is seen on both sides of this attractive, fully defined Gem. A slightly uneven finish is all that precludes an even higher grade.The obverse of this design is a reduction of the medal for Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon. The reverse, which was also used on the 1943 Assay Commission medal, exhibits a majestic eagle that is similar in style to the 1918 Lincoln-Illinois Centennial commemorative half dollar. This medal was originally presented to Mr. B.G. Shields, an employee at the U.S. Assay Office in New York who served on the 1922 Assay Commission as chairman of assaying.Andrew W. Mellon was one of Americas great steel industry leaders and financiers, serving as Treasury secretary for presidents Harding, Coolidge and Hoover. His power and experience inspired the statement, "three Presidents served under him." An unrepentant sexist, Mellon threw the design contest for the 1932 Washington quarter to John Flanagan though Laura Gardin Frasers design was chosen by the contest judges and the Commission of Fine Arts. He created and endowed the National Portrait Gallery in the 1930s. From the Richard Jewell Collection. Earlier from Heritages Long Beach Signature Auction of September 2006, lot 6609. Lot tag and collector tag with attribution notation included.
