Offical Vice Presidential Inaugural Medals

Official Vice Presidential Inaugural Medals

When Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned his office under the pressure of federal criminal charges on October 10, 1973 President Richard Nixon nominated Gerald Ford to replace him. This action was taken in accordance with Section 2 of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the first time it was needed since ratified in 1967. After confirmation by both houses of Congress Gerald Ford was sworn in as Vice President, an inauguration of sorts. In honor of his inauguration as the first vice president installed under the 25th Amendment a medal was approved and issued.

On August 9, 1974, President Richard Nixon resigned and Vice President Gerald Ford took the oath of office becoming the 38th President of the United States. Under the provisions of Section 2 of the 25th Amendment it fell to him to nominate a new vice president. His nominee was former New York governor Nelson A. Rockefeller. Nelson Rockefeller was confirmed by both houses and congress and sworn in as Vice President. He too was honored with the striking of an inaugural medal to commemorate the event.

The medals are illustrated below, along with the text of the 25th Amendment.

Vice Presidental Inaugural Medals
Obverse Image	Description	Reverse Image
	1973 Gerald R. Ford Designer: Mico Kaufman Medalist: Medallic Art Company Mintages Antique Silver (63mm) ....2,500 Antique Bronze (70mm) ..10,484


	1974 Nelson A. Rockefeller Designer: Frank Eliscu Medalist: Medallic Art Company Mintages Silver (63mm) ....2,410 Bronze (70mm) ...5,098

Article. [XXV.]

[Proposed 1965; Ratified 1967]

Section. 1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

Section. 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

Section. 3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.

Section. 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.