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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
About Uncirculated with some irregular toning, as shown.
Obverse bust of Kennedy to the left, JOHN FITZGERALD
KENNEDY around. The reverse legend: PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA INAUGURATED/
JANUARY 20TH 1961 encloses the interior portion of the
Presidential Seal. (F)
RONALD REAGAN, 1985
268.
RARE RONALD REAGAN “SUNDAY” OFFICIAL
INAUGURAL MEDAL, 1985
. 43x50mm. Six-sided. Silver
Plated Bronze. Choice Uncirculated. A view of the White
House is at the upper portion of the obverse. Below is a six
line quotation by President John Adams: I PRAY HEAVEN
TO BESTOW THE BEST BLESSING ON THIS HOUSE
AND ALL THAT SHALL HEREAFTER INHABIT IT. MAY
NONE BUT HONEST MEN EVER RULEUNDER THIS
ROOF. At bottom right is the inscription: JOHN ADAMS/
NOVEMBER/ MDCCC. At the top of the reverse is a small
Presidential Seal. Below; THE ADMINISTRATION/ OF THE
OATH OF OFFICE/ TO RONALD REAGAN/ PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/ AND/.GEORGE
BUSH/ VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA/ THE WHITE HOUSE JANUARY 20,1985. The
medal is housed in its presentation box giltstamped with the
Presidential eagle on the top of the box.
Many people think that the Reagan-Bush second term began
with the public inauguration on Monday, January 21, 1985.
Lot 267 (reduced)
However, if that was true, we would have been without a
President and Vice President for one day, since his first term
would have expired the previous day. The public inauguration
was held on Monday because of a long-standing tradition that
it not be held on the Christian Sabbath. However, so that there
would be continuity of office, a private inaugural ceremony was
held in the White House on Sunday, where Reagan and Bush
were officially sworn in by the Chief Justice of the United
States.
On five other occasions, the usual inaugural day fell on a
Sunday and two ceremonies, one private and the other public,.
were similarly held. The dates of these inaugurations are
commemorated by being impressed on the edges of this medal:
1821; 1849; 1877; 1917 and 1957. Similarly, the date 1985 is
also recorded. These official medals were struck by Medallic
Art Company and were distributed to the several hundred VIPs
in attendance at the Sunday ceremony. ($1200-1500)
269.
1985 RONALD REAGAN INAUGURAL MEDAL
OBVERSE PROCESS SET.
Obverse strikes only of the
1985 70mm bronze medal in eight stages of manufacture are
attractively affixed to a walnut board. At the bottom, a bronze
plaque is inscribed: 1985/ PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL/
PROCESS SET/ #50 OF 50. We last offered one of these
handsome sets in our 2009 Sale #79 where set #22 brought
$632.50.
Lot 268
Lot 269 (reduced)