

53
H
A N D O T H E R R E L A T E D M E M O R A B I L I A
Official Presidential Inaugural Medals
HERBERT HOOVER, 1929
253.
OFFICIAL INAUGURAL MEDAL, 1929.
HCH 1929-
2. 70mm. Bronze. Henry Kirke Bush-Brown, Sc. (U.S.
Mint). Slightly dark Uncirculated. Obverse bust to the left,
INAUGURATION MARCH 4 1929 around. The reverse bears
the names of the President and Vice President above a displayed
eagle surrounded by Bush Brown’s conception of the outstanding
achievements so far in the life of the President- Elect.
In a departure from tradition, the contract for striking the medals
was given to the United States Mint. Only 1,012 of them were
struck, although the demand was much greater. A pre-striking
limit of 1,000 medals was announced and the Chairman of the
Medal Committee thought it “only fair to keep faith with the
people” even though he knew they could sell thousands more.
The wide dispersal of this small striking has assured that the
Hoover medal is relatively scarce in the marketplace. ( $1500 -
2000 )
252.
OFFICIAL INAUGURAL MEDAL.
CC 1925-3. 70mm.
Bronze. Thin (4mm.) planchet. Julio Kilenyi, Sc. (Medallic Art
Co.). Choice About Uncirculated, Edge stamped: MEDALLIC
ART CO NY. Obverse with a bust to the right of Coolidge,
INAUGURATION MARCH 4, 1925 above. The reverse
is inscribed: PRESIDENT/ CALVIN COOLIDGE/ VICE
PRESENT/ CHARLES G. DAWES/ 1925 above a Great Seal
eagle; a wreath below.
The Coolidge inaugural has a stated mintage of only 75 pieces
and is the second rarest of the g e n e r a l i s s u e bronze
official inaugural medals. It’s been five years since we last
auctioned a Coolidge inaugural. That piece, also anAU from the
Richard Dusterberg Collection, brought $20,700.00. Previous to
that we sold a gem quality example by private treaty for over
$30,000. ($20,000-$25,000)
CALVIN COOLIDGE, 1925
Lot 253
Lot 252
is the work of Jonathan M. Swanson who worked exclusively for
Whitehead –Hoag until 1923. (G)