1889 United States Assay Commission Medal. By Charles E. Barber. JK AC-32. Rarity-5. Copper. MS-64 BN (NGC).76 mm. Handsome Choice Mint State surfaces display dominant medium brown patina with speckles of lighter golden-tan evident throughout the fields. Otherwise smooth and virtually blemish free, a few faint carbon spots and light marks are scattered about, and we also note several swirls of variegated color along the left reverse border. A thoroughly appealing example of this scarce issue.<p>The 1889 Assay Commission medal was struck from the same obverse die as the 1888 issue (JK AC-31), which is also the same die that the Mint used for the Grover Cleveland Presidential medal, Julian PR-23. The reverse of both Assay Commission medals are the same apart from the date. The JK AC-32 is scarce and, indeed, this is only the third 1889 Assay Commission medal that we have offered since our (Stacks) November 2008 sale of the Ernest E. Keusch Collection. The Keusch specimen, offered as lot 5269 in our 2008 sale, exhibited a few minor blemishes that included a prominent spot at the back of President Clevelands neck. The present example has stronger eye appeal and is sure to catch the eye of discerning specialists in this popular U.S. Mint medal series.From Heritages Internet Coin Auction #131914, April 2019, lot 22111.
