1898 Assay Commission Medal - JK-AC-42, Silver, William McKinley

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,440 MS65 05-29-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1898 Assay Commission medal JK-AC-42 in silver features a portrait of President William McKinley, the first of four consecutive McKinley portraits in the series. McKinley's presidency brought monetary stability after the turbulent Cleveland years, with the gold standard firmly established and the economy recovering from the depression of the 1890s. The year 1898 was dominated by the Spanish-American War, which thrust the United States onto the world stage as an imperial power. While the war had no direct bearing on the Assay Commission's work, the increased government spending and the economic stimulus of wartime production contributed to a broader national prosperity that supported the monetary system the commission oversaw. The silver JK-AC-42 introduces McKinley to the Assay Commission series in a precious-metal striking suitable for presentation to the senior officials who participated in the annual coin verification process. McKinley's portrait — capturing the President's characteristic composure and dignity — would become a familiar sight on Assay Commission medals through the end of the century.

Rarity Notes

JK-AC-42 (1898) in silver (AR). First "William McKinley" portrait in the Assay Commission series. Silver strikings are scarce.

Cross References

PCGS #972479; JK-AC-42; 1898 Assay Commission