1891 Assay Commission Medal - JK-AC-34, Silver, William Windom

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,320 SP64 08-22-2018 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1891 Assay Commission medal JK-AC-34 in silver features a portrait of William Windom, who served as Secretary of the Treasury under both Garfield/Arthur and Harrison. Windom's portrait represents a departure from the prevailing practice of depicting the President on the Assay Commission medal, choosing instead to honor the Treasury official most directly responsible for overseeing the nation's monetary system. Windom died suddenly on January 29, 1891, while delivering a speech at the annual dinner of the New York Board of Trade and Transportation. His death occurred just days before the Assay Commission's annual February meeting, making the medal bearing his portrait an inadvertent memorial tribute. The silver composition adds a layer of formality appropriate to honoring a cabinet officer who had died in service. As Treasury Secretary, Windom had been directly responsible for implementing the Sherman Silver Purchase Act and managing the complex relationship between silver purchases, currency issuance, and gold reserve maintenance. His portrait on the Assay Commission medal — the medal given to those who verified the coins produced under policies he administered — creates a direct connection between administrative authority and operational oversight.

Rarity Notes

JK-AC-34 (1891) in silver (AR). "William Windom" portrait. Effectively a memorial piece following Windom's death in January 1891.

Cross References

PCGS #512434; JK-AC-34; 1891 Assay Commission