1880 Assay Commission Medal - JK-AC-21, Bronze, Mule

Strike Type

Coin Details

Year

1880

Denomination

Medals

Strike Type

Special Strike

Series

U.S. Mint Medals

Composition

Copper

Value Estimates

Up to $900

Values from published price guides and, in some cases, recorded auction sales. For most coins the range runs from a well-worn example (around G-4) to an uncirculated one, but individual coins can sell for more or less depending on grade, eye appeal and demand. Compare recent sales of similar coins for a closer estimate.

Auction Record

Price realized: $900
Sold: 29 March 2023
Grade: MS66BN
Auction house: Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1880 Assay Commission medal JK-AC-21 in bronze is a mule created by pairing dies from different Assay Commission medals. The mule designation indicates that the obverse and reverse used for this striking were not originally intended as a matched pair, resulting in a hybrid piece that exists outside the intended design sequence. Mules in the Assay Commission series are among the most intriguing items for advanced collectors, as they reveal the mechanics of die management at the Philadelphia Mint. The 1880 commission year produced an unusually complex array of medal variants — JK-AC-20 through JK-AC-23 represent four distinct die combinations, including this mule. This proliferation of types may reflect the transition in the engraving department following William Barber's death in 1879 and Charles Barber's assumption of the Chief Engraver role. During such transitions, die inventory management could become unsettled, creating opportunities for unintended die pairings. The bronze composition of this mule indicates it was struck for potential distribution rather than as a unique presentation piece. Whether the mule pairing was recognized at the time of striking or only later identified by catalogers, it has become one of the distinctive varieties that collectors of the Assay Commission series actively seek.