1961 United States Assay Commission Medal. Bronze. 57 mm. By John Reich, John R. Sinnock and Adam Pietz. JK AC-105a. Rarity-7. MS-69 (NGC). A virtually pristine example with gorgeous golden-brown patina and silky smooth surfaces. Fully struck and delightful to behold, this outstanding Superb Gem will please even the most discerning collector.With no time to prepare a bust of newly elected President John F. Kennedy before the meeting of the annual Assay Commission, the 1961 issue recycles the obverse of the 1937 JK AC-82 issue depicting a bust of Thomas Jefferson, founder of the Democratic Party. The reverse is also recycled, this time from the 1949 AC-84 medal, albeit with the 1961 date. Our first offering for the rare AC-105 issue in recent memory, the present example is a nearly flawless survivor accompanied by the original case, also essentially pristine with the exception of light adhesive residue at the upper left corner of the lid.Our consignor acquired this medal and its case from Cliff Mishler in 2016, who claims that they were once owned by numismatist and businessman Chester Krause, who was a member of the 1961 Commission. (Total: 1 medal; 1 case) From the Richard Jewell Collection. Earlier ex Chester Krause; Cliff Mishler, October 27, 2016. Collector tag with provenance notation included.
