The Obama inaugural medal.

The inaugural medal, which is authorized by the inaugural committee, unlike the "peace medals" which ar produced by the US Mint, usually go for around thirty bucks. There is a small version which goes for about fifteen.

Medalcraft did indeed do a good job, especially last time, when some ******* at the '05 inaugural committee decided that Cheney wasn't good enough to go on the medal and orderd a complete redesign, this was AFTER the original design was in production and a hundred or so had been mailed out.

When Cheney heard this, he was furious, and a hybrid design was approved, a mule with the original '05 design, and the '01 reverse with the slight modification of the year.

"January 20, 2005" is on both sides of the medal and it looks really awkward. Medalcraft decided to keep on minting "type I's" and that's what I've got.

As to the Obama medal, they're probably going to sell small medals as well as standard size ones. Every private mint has made a bid on the project, and I'd love to see all the designs.

 

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That is a "peace medal" not an inaugural one. They didn't start making them until 1901.

 

Obama Inaugural Medal

This responds also to Ericl above:

I am watching for word on when the 2009 Inaugural Medals will be available for sale to the public. In the recent past, the bronze versions have gone for around $45 while the slightly smaller (and serially-numbered) silver versions have cost $150 or more. There is always the possibility that the Inaugural Committee will opt for several varieties (proof, antique, different sizes) of the medals.

The image of the Vice President has appeared on past inaugural medals but by tradition begun in 1937, only on the incumbent President's 2nd inaugural (J S Sherman appeared on Taft's 1909 medal and none were on Wilson's 2nd and Cooledge's 2nd). The 2005 Bush-Cheney Inaugural medal was indeed redone but it was the reverse that was the bone of contention. The Chairman of the Inaugural Committee didn't like the original reverse with an eagle over the flag so directed a re-do (the US Seal). About 7500 of the unofficial medals were distributed in bronze. I would like to refer anyone who is interested in inaugural medals to the following site: http://www.inauguralmedals.com/

I've been collecting these things for years (have most of them with the exception of Harding, Cooledge and Wilson's 2nd). Recent Presidents (starting with Eisenhower in 1953) began the practice of having tens of thousands of the medals minted (in bronze). Nixon had the most and in the most types (that site above will explain). Official Inaugural Medals are those authorized only by the Presidential Inaugural Commmittee - any others (including the ones from the US Mint) are "unofficial medals".

The medals issued by the US Mint (whether "Peace Medals" or Inaugural Medals) have been issued and re-issued over the years and can be bought today in 3" diameter size (around $35 from the mint) or smaller (for a lot less). Original medals and those re-issued around the turn of the last century can go for a lot more. These (and official inaugural medals) can be found for sale on Ebay and other sites.

fod210

 

http://pic2009.inauguralcollectibles.com/optimizer/product/J0405.html

There are two official designs this year. The first is called "the challenge coin" for some reason (link above) and the second one has his face on it and costs sixty bucks.

 

hey Garrett the business my family owns actually made the obama inauguration medal and we have so many left over that did not sell. Medalcraft Mint is the name of the company. If you go to are website there is a tab for the 2009 Obama Medal.

 

Are family owned company Medalcraft Mint actually was the official company picked to make both terms of George Bush and the 2009 Obama medal! check out are website http://www.medalcraft.com/home

 

I understand why there was a lack of demand at those prices. I might have been interested at $5.95, but $30? Forget it unless it is a precious metal medal.

 

I have a few of the United States Mint Presidential Series Stock Medals
1-5/16" (34mm)



President Millard Fillmore Medal (34mm)
MILLARD FILLMORE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES / 1850
LABOR VIRTUE HONOR



President James Buchanan Medal (34mm)
JAMES BUCHANAN
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES / 1857
LABOR VIRTUE HONOR (The same reverse as the President Fillmore medal)



President Theodore Roosevelt Medal (34mm)
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
INAUGURATED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES / SEP. 14, 1901
SECOND TERM MARCH 4, 1905



President Franklin Roosevelt Medal (34mm)
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES / FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
FOR COUNTRY AND HUMANITY
INAUGURATED PRESIDENT / MAR 4, 1933 / JAN 20, 1937 / JAN 20, 1941 / JAN 20, 1945
DIED APRIL 12, 1945 / IN MEMORIAM



President Dwight Eisenhower Medal (34mm)
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
INAUGURATED PRESIDENT
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / FREEDOM (At base of statue)
JANUARY 20, 1953

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not sure what the covered wagon, horse plow, and mountains have to do with
Dwight Eisenhower who grew up in Kansas and spent most of his life in the US Army.



President Jimmy Carter Medal (34mm)
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES / JIMMY CARTER
THE AMERICAN DREAM / ENDURES..WE MUST
ONCE AGAIN HAVE FAITH / IN OUR COUNTRY
JIMMY CARTER
INAUGURATED JANUARY 20, 1977



President William Clinton Medal (34mm)
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES / WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH AMERICA THAT CANNOT
BE CURED BY WHAT IS RIGHT WITH AMERICA
INAUGURATED JANUARY 20, 1993

 

They are so expensive because of precious metals and the amount of time put into every detail. Theses medals are apart of our countries history sadly rare historic items like this do not come at china product prices.

 

Yes, I too really like that Teddy Roosevelt medal. I've been thinking of getting into collecting medals as well. But god I have so much to collect as it is!

 

I'm thinking the US Mint charges even more for large bronze medals of that size.

 

Welcome to CT.
Cool site. Looks like they make some great stuff.

 

I think i have a new love of medals. I am dieng to get a Regan or JFK one!

 

I really like the presidential and Peace 3 inch bronze medals. I have a small collection
of some of the older ones. The art work on some of the reverses are just incredible.
The most current one I have is the one that sits on a stand on my desk with the reverse facing out.

Terry

 

thank you idhair love to chat more!

 

Is this what you are seeking?

 

Oh boy I hope you didn't pay much for that. thats not the official Obama inauguration medal. Sorry Buddy.

 

If I'm spending $30, I want to see Ms Bingham, NOT Obama.

 

No. My son picked this up during his middle school trip to DC last year. I'm not sure who produced it or where he bought it. I think he bought it at a souvenir shop for like 3 or 4 bucks.