Search articles

Take a Walk Through History with Presidential Bronze Medals

-

In recent years, collecting medals produced by the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia has become popular. In the PCGS Set Registry®, there is a relatively easy set to complete and one that is filled with history, to boot! Presidential Medals can be a great set to build with your children and a great starter set for future numismatists.

There are several private mints that issue presidential medals. But the set composition in the Registry is for the bronze inaugural medals issued by the U.S. Mint. All medals feature a bust of the president on the obverse. The medals are designed by the U.S. Mint’s engraving staff. The design is then approved by the incoming president’s Presidential Inaugural Committee or Medals Committee. The coins are struck in two sizes, 3-inch and 1.312-inch diameters. A 3-inch high-relief gold version is presented to the president. The bronze versions, composed of 90% copper and 10% zinc, for both the 3-inch and 1.312-inch sizes are struck for sale to the public.

The Registry set focuses on the 1.312-inch issue. Unlike U.S. circulating coins, the year of production and denomination is not engraved on the coin, nor is the motto. However, presidential medals do have the president’s inauguration date listed.

Medals were produced by the U.S. government in the early beginnings of the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia and were used as gifts of friendship given to American Indians. In 1801, President Jefferson authorized the first "Peace" medal, which bears the image of a U.S. president on the obverse. The reverse is an image of a handshake and a crossed tomahawk and peace pipe. On the cuff of the left wrist are three stripes with buttons, each button carrying the American eagle. The inscription reads "PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP."

The peace medal design, which had a number of variations, was made for all presidents until Abraham Lincoln. The medal for George Washington was made circa 1903 to complete the peace medal series. The reverse design changed to the inaugural reverse on the Lincoln medal. The date of the president’s inauguration was moved from the obverse to the reverse of the coin, while the president’s name remained on the obverse with his image. The reverse designs vary from issue to issue with only the inauguration statistics in common.

Thomas Jefferson Medal, PCGS MS66RD
Thomas Jefferson authorized the first Peace medal, bearing the image of a president

Abraham Lincoln Medal, PCGS MS67RD First year of the inaugural reverse

The first medal listed in the set in the Registry is that of the White House, which bears the U.S. Presidential seal on the reverse. The latest medal produced was for Barack Obama’s second term, which was released during his last week in office in 2017. President Obama’s medal will be added to the composition in the Registry later this year.

Some of the medals were designed by well-known mint engravers. For example, the Theodore Roosevelt medal’s obverse was designed by Charles Barber (designer for the Barber dime, quarter, and half dollar), and the reverse was designed by George Morgan (designer for the Morgan Dollar and Columbian Half Dollar).

Theodore Roosevelt Medal, PCGS MS68RD Barber obverse design, Morgan reverse design

In more recent years, the reverse of the coin not only lists the inauguration date, but a quote from the president during his inauguration speech.

Lyndon B. Johnson Medal, PCGS MS66RD
Quote on reverse: "On this occasion, the oath I have taken before you and before God – is not mine alone,
but ours together. We are one nation and one people..."

Ronald Reagan Medal, PCGS MS67RD
Quote on reverse: "...Let us renew our faith and our hope. We have every right to dream heroic dreams..."

There are two collectors with complete sets registered in the PCGS Set Registry. Because the very popular Presidential Dollar series ends in 2017, these Presidential Bronze Medals might be a great starter set for you, or an interesting diversion from the circulation strike or proof date/denomination sets. You will be able to add a new medal to your collection with every new president. Click here to browse.

BJ Searls is a graduate of Pepperdine University with a Master’s in Business Administration. She has been involved in numismatics since 1973 and has worked for Collectors Universe since 1997. BJ is the Set Registry and Special Projects Director for PCGS, PSA and PSA/DNA. Email: [email protected].

Set Registry Tokens and Medals

Related Articles

Irish Gunmoney Hot Collectibles Centuries Later Josh Scott and Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez
3/15/2024
Varieties Are the Spice of Collecting Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez
3/11/2024
Collector Spotlight: Jim Gately Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez
2/13/2024
Celebrating Collectible Coins During National Hobby Month Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez
1/24/2024