1958 United States Assay Commission Medal. Bronze. 51 mm. By Gilroy Roberts and Engelhardus von Hebel. JK AC-102a. Rarity-7. MS-63 (NGC). Bold olive and gray-brown patina is seen on both sides, with antique gold highlights in the protected areas around the design elements. The matte finish is smooth with no troublesome blemishes, and we suspect that a somewhat lighter appearance would have secured an even higher grade from NGC.The obverse of this issue, by Gilroy Roberts, is the same Eisenhower portrait die used on the Assay Commission medals of 1955 and 1956 (JK AC-99 and 100, respectively). The reverse, by Engelhardus von Hebel, is an adaptation of the Presidential medal from Eisenhowers second term, and it features Crawfords statue of Freedom from the dome of the U.S. Capitol surrounded by figures representing applications of atomic energy, inscription ATOMS FOR PEACE above. Rare, this is only the third example of JK AC-102 that we have offered since 2008.Reverse designer Von Hebel is virtually unknown despite decades of service to the Mint; his finest work was the medal for poet Robert Frost seen by few collectors. The Atoms for Peace program used in his design was a significant foundation of the Eisenhower administration.This lot includes the original case for the medal, the green base with no blemishes of note, the green lid with a few light nicks and scuffs. The green plush interior is well preserved with only minor signs of handling within the fitted portion. Overall grade for the case is Extremely Fine. (Total: 2 items) From the Richard Jewell Collection.
