Owner Comments:
1869 UNITED STATES ASSAY COMMISSION MEDAL (Thirteen Stars Variety)
JK-AC-6.
Composition: Aluminum
Designer/Engraver: William Barber
Diameter: 33 mm
Rarity: R6 for all compositions (JK-AC-6 was struck in Copper, Silver, and Aluminum) but much rarer in Aluminum. In 1869 Aluminum was considered a precious metal and was more valuable than Gold.
Pedigree: CHARLES E. BARBER
A beautiful premium Gem, both sides are silky smooth in texture beneath a dusting of the lightest silvery tinting. Fully struck design elements contrast nicely with well mirrored fields. Accompanied by the original maroon leather, purple plush interior case. The case is fully functional with light to moderate exterior scuffing from normal handling. (Total: 1 medal; 1 case)
The short, yet bold die crack (as made) from the obverse rim to star 5 is the cause of this die's early demise and the Mint's adoption of the No Stars replacement (JK AC-5) for most of the Assay Commission medals produced in 1869. In fact, all known examples of JK AC-6 display this die break. While silver impressions of the 1869 AC-5 No Stars are the medals that were actually distributed to most commissioners in 1869, the Julian-Keusch reference suggests that some silver strikings of the earlier AC-6 pairing may have also have been used for this purpose. Aluminum strikings of both types, on the other hand, were prepared in small numbers expressly for distribution to contemporary collectors. The Stack's November 2008 sale of the Keusch Collection lacked an AC-6 in aluminum. The only other AC-6 aluminum specimen offered by Stack's Bowers, in recent years, was a medal from the Richard Jewell Collection that graded NGC MS-65 PL.
This specimen has the most significant provenance that any collector of U.S. Mint medals might wish. It was earlier from the personal collection and estate of long-lived Philadelphia Mint Engraver Charles Edward Barber (born in London, 1840, died Philadelphia 1917). Charles arrived in America with his father William Barber in 1852 and signed on as assistant engraver in 1869. He was appointed chief engraver on his father's death in 1879 and served in this post until his own demise in 1917. He designed the silver dime, quarter, and half dollar of 1892 to 1916 that bear his name, several early commemoratives, and innumerable pattern coin designs. Modern research has linked him to production of the famous 1913 Liberty Head nickel, which only emerged from the shadows upon his death. Among his designs for world coinage were the Hawaiian silver coins of King Kalakaua in 1883, the base silver Dominican coins of 1895 and the Cuban coinage of 1915. Charles Barber also created a remarkable roster of Mint medals. The present example, whose design is the work of his father, was bequeathed to Charles' second spouse, Caroline Gaston Barber, and descended in that branch of the family until 2009. Considering the Barber family as a unit, it was indeed a "one owner" medal until sold through Stack's New York Americana Sale in January 2010.
OBVERSE DESIGN
The obverse design features Columbia, in a long chiton, seated to the left with her hand resting on an American shield. A Liberty cap on a pole is behind. Thirteen Stars surround the figure. Die break at the fifth star (from lower left).
REVERSE DESIGN
Wreath, with inscription "LET US HAVE PEACE" on a scroll at top, enclosing inscription "ANNUAL ASSAY 1869". The "LET US HAVE PEACE" legend on the reverse is a reference to U.S. Grant, who had won the election of 1868 and was due to be inagurated president on March 4, 1869.
Provenance: From Stack's sale of the Collection of Charles E. Barber, Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, January 2010 New York Americana Sale, lot 4834. Lot tag included.
Purchased in Stack's Bowers Spring 2023 Auction - Session 2 - Numismatic Americana & Early American Coins - Lot #2090.
NGC Population: 1/0 (3/21/2023)
Single Finest Graded at NGC