1880 United States Assay Commission Medal. By George T. Morgan and Charles E. Barber. JK AC-20. Rarity-5. Silver. MS-62 PL (NGC).33 mm. Lightly toned in pinkish-silver, this attractive prooflike example exhibits bold contrast between reflective fields and satiny design elements. 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 Larry Baber Collection. Earlier ex Presidential Coin and Antique Co., Inc.s Arlie Slabaugh Collections sale, June 2001, lot 253. Lot tag included.
