1963 Assay Commission Medal - JK-AC-107, Silver, C. Douglas Dillon

Coin Details

Auction Record

$4,800 MS68 03-25-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1963 Assay Commission medal in silver, cataloged as JK-AC-107, features C. Douglas Dillon, who served as Secretary of the Treasury from 1961 to 1965 under both Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Dillon was a patrician Republican serving in a Democratic administration, reflecting Kennedy's preference for bipartisan expertise in economic policy. His tenure at the Treasury coincided with the beginning of the silver crisis that would ultimately lead to the elimination of silver from circulating coinage in 1965. The silver composition of this Assay Commission medal is therefore historically ironic — it was struck from the very metal whose dwindling reserves were becoming a major policy concern for the Treasury Secretary depicted on it. Dillon's portrait on the commission medal honored his oversight of the Mint and the monetary system during a period of consequential change.

Rarity Notes

JK-AC-107, silver composition. Features Treasury Secretary C. Douglas Dillon. Very limited production. Ironic silver composition given Dillon oversaw the coming silver transition.

Cross References

PCGS #518797; JK-AC-107; C. Douglas Dillon; Secretary of the Treasury; 1963 Assay Commission