2016-06-01 Wed

From 1961 onwards, thousands of Americans started collecting medals after John Fitzgerald Kennedy took his oath. These kinds of inaugural medals have been issued since 1889 but were not a popular choice among collectors.

But today, there is a good demand of these special medals and people are eagerly waiting in anticipation to know who would appear on the 2017 medal as it seems to be a tough presidential contest this time. Special medals have also been issued to honour the state governors and mayors of major cities. One such medal honours Theodore Roosevelt who served as the governor of the state of New York on Jan. 2, 1899.

The 41 year old candidate had been a part of the Spanish-American War. His U.S. Volunteer Cavalry was popularly known as the Rough Riders. The bronze medal portrays him in Rough Rider uniform and a slouch hat. Other inscriptions include ‘INAUGURATED GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK JAN. 2, 1899. THEODORE ROOSEVELT’. The reverse depicts the state arms with Liberty and Justice. The artist’s signature or maker name is not featured on the medal. The medal looks more beautiful due to a rich glossy mahogany patina. It has an off-center uniface 33- by 30-millimeter strike of the obverse. This is believed to be one of the many circa 1960 strikes made by dies acquired by Robert Bashlow who was known for his aggressive marketing of what he called the “Confederate Cent Second Restrike.”