1893 Assay Commission Medal - JK-AC-37, Aluminum, Benjamin Harrison

Coin Details

Description

The 1893 Assay Commission medal JK-AC-37 in aluminum is an experimental striking of the Harrison portrait in a metal that was becoming increasingly affordable following the commercialization of the Hall-Heroult electrolytic process in the late 1880s. By 1893, aluminum had transitioned from a semi-precious curiosity to an industrial material, though its use in medallic production remained uncommon. The aluminum JK-AC-37 offers a visually distinctive version of the Harrison portrait, with the metal's bright white surface and remarkable lightness creating a sensory experience quite different from the copper, silver, or bronzed versions. The 1893 date places this aluminum medal at a fascinating crossroads in the metal's history — no longer exotic, but not yet commonplace enough for routine medallic use. The Panic of 1893 context gives this aluminum striking added historical dimension. As banks failed and the monetary system convulsed, the Mint continued to produce its annual ceremonial medals in a variety of compositions, demonstrating institutional continuity during a period of extreme economic distress. The aluminum JK-AC-37 survives as a lightweight artifact of a heavyweight crisis.

Rarity Notes

JK-AC-37 (1893) in aluminum. "Benjamin Harrison" portrait during the Panic of 1893. Aluminum strikings are scarce.

Cross References

PCGS #518071; JK-AC-37; 1893 Assay Commission