1871 United States Assay Commission Medal. By William Barber. JK AC-10. Rarity-5. Without Directors Name. Silver. AU-58 (NGC).33 mm. Near-fully lustrous surfaces also retain razor sharp striking detail. Brilliant.<p>A popular design in the Assay Commission medal series, the obverse shows a seated representation of Archimedes as the central elements, indicative of the interest of both Mint Director James Pollock and Chief Engraver William Barber in the classical period of antiquity. JK AC-10 was probably the first variety prepared for the year, the authors of the Julian-Keusch reference speculating that it was rejected by Pollock because the clouds within the doorway framing Archimedes resulted in a somewhat cluttered appearance. When Chief Engraver William Barber prepared a new die without the clouds, he also added the inscription J. POLLOCK / DIRECTOR in exergue, creating the JK AC-9 variety.Collector tag with attribution notation included.
