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THE BUSH – CHENEY TYPE I INAUGURAL MEDALS
Those of you who read the numismatic press are probably aware of the various design changes that have been made to the official medal. Briefly, this is what happened:
Obverse and reverse designs were selected by the Medals Committee. The obverse design, by Gladys Gunzer, was a profile of Bush and Cheney facing left, while the reverse featured a displayed eagle perched on an American flag. About 7500 each of the 2 3/4” and 1 1/2” medals were struck by the Medalcraft Mint in anticipation of sale. These medals are now being referred to as “Type I Medals.” Unknown to the Medals Committee and to the Medalcraft Mint, the official of the main inaugural committee who oversaw the approval of all officially licensed inaugural souvenirs, decided that his authority extended to the approval of the design of the official medal. (This was the first time in history that anyone other than members of the Medals Committee ever exerted any decision making authority with respect to the design of the official medal!) This gentleman professed to be dissatisfied with the selected design and initially demanded that both obverse and reverse designs be changed. This in spite of the fact that a total of 15,000 medals had already been struck. After one false start in which a second obverse design (also by Gladys Gunzer) was approved and then quickly disapproved, the decision was made to strike a medal which bears the original obverse design and a new reverse displaying the Presidential Seal. To the experienced eye, it is obvious that this new reverse was not intended to be mated with the original obverse as the inaugural date, January 20, 2005, appears on both sides of the medal – a mistake the Medals Committee would never have made!
We have been fortunate in being able to obtain a limited number of both size Type I medals bearing the original reverse eagle and flag design. They are offered to you, while they last, at what was to be their original issue price of $39.95 and $12.95. Postage is $5.00 + $1.00 for each additional medal.
Description - What's Available
1-1/2" BRONZE COIN RELIEF MEDAL. (38mm)
This small size medal is encapsulated and placed in an historically informative laminated bi-fold display holder. This will make for a perfect inexpensive gift and souvenir of the inauguration. |
$12.95 |
2-3/4" BRONZE HIGH RELIEF ART MEDAL. (70mm)
The most traditional medal of the inaugural series is this high relief bronze art medal. It comes with a solid walnut stand and is housed in a deluxe two-piece Kraft presentation box. |
$39.95 |
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