1873 Assay Commission Medal - JK-AC-12, White, Metal Archimedes, J. Pollock

Coin Details

Auction Record

$528 UNC Details 03-31-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1873 Assay Commission medal JK-AC-12 in white metal is a variant striking using a tin-based alloy that produces a bright, silvery appearance at lower cost than true silver. White metal (sometimes called Britannia metal or pewter in various formulations) was occasionally used at the Philadelphia Mint for medals and tokens when a silver-like appearance was desired without the expense of precious metal. The alloy typically consisted primarily of tin with small additions of antimony and copper for hardness. The white metal version of the Archimedes JK-AC-12 offers a visually distinctive alternative to the copper and silver strikings, with a surface tone that falls between silver's bright reflectivity and aluminum's matte whiteness. White metal's relatively low melting point and soft consistency make it susceptible to environmental damage, which means surviving examples in good condition are particularly valued. The production of white metal Assay Commission medals in 1873 may reflect an effort to provide presentation pieces in a silver-appearing metal during a year when the political status of silver itself was in flux. Alternatively, the white metal strikings was experimental pieces exploring the visual properties of various alloys, consistent with the Mint's broader program of metallurgical experimentation that characterized the Pollock-Barber era.

Rarity Notes

JK-AC-12 (1873) in white metal. "Archimedes, J. Pollock" design. White metal strikings are scarce and vulnerable to environmental deterioration.

Cross References

PCGS #972469; JK-AC-12; 1873 Assay Commission