1898 Assay Commission Medal - JK-AC-42, White, Metal William McKinley

Coin Details

Description

The 1898 Assay Commission medal JK-AC-42 in white metal is a variant striking using a tin-based alloy that produces a bright, silvery appearance. White metal medals from the late nineteenth century are vulnerable to environmental damage, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable. The white metal composition creates a visual impression similar to silver at a fraction of the cost, providing an additional composition option for the 1898 commission year. The alloy's properties — soft, bright, and susceptible to surface degradation — give surviving examples a character distinct from all other compositions in the Assay Commission series. McKinley's portrait in white metal offers collectors an unusual variant that complements the more commonly encountered copper and silver versions. The 1898 JK-AC-42 group, with its four distinct compositions (silver, bronzed copper, copper, and white metal), demonstrates the breadth of the medal production program during the late Barber era, when the Chief Engraver maintained the tradition of producing Assay Commission medals in multiple metals for different audiences and purposes.

Rarity Notes

JK-AC-42 (1898) in white metal. First "William McKinley" portrait. White metal strikings are scarce and vulnerable to deterioration.

Cross References

PCGS #972480; JK-AC-42; 1898 Assay Commission