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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
281.
PROPOSED DESIGN FOR THE OFFICIAL INAUGURAL
MEDAL, 2005.
70mm. Bronze. Geri Gould, Sc. (MACO)
Uncirculated. Obverse with high relief busts of Bush and Cheney
facing right, GEORGE W. BUSH . RICHARD B. CHENEY
around The reverse is inscribed: SECOND INAUGURATION
JANUARY 20, 2005 around a displayed eagle as found on the
Great Seal of the United States.
This obverse, with the busts facing right, is similar to that
executed by Jurek Jakowicz – we suspect that both artists
worked off the same photograph provided by the Mint. This
design was rejected in favor on the winning submission
from Gladys Gunzer.
When the initial selection of the Medals Committee was
overturned by the head of marketing for the Inaugural
Committee, this obverse was chosen to replace it. However,
another highly placed member of the committee with ties to
Lot 280
282.
PROPOSED DESIGN FOR THE OFFICIAL INAUGURAL
MEDAL, 2005.
70mm. Bronze. Steve Adams, Sc. (Medalcraft
Mint) Uncirculated. Obverse with jugate busts of Bush and
Cheney facing left, the portrait of Bush being considerably
larger than that of Cheney. Inscribed around the border from
11:00 to 5:00 is: SECOND INAUGURATION JANUARY 20,
2005. The reverse features a displayed eagle perched on an
American flag and the legend: * PRESIDENT GEORGE W.
BUSH * VICE PRESIDENT RICHARD B. CHENEY.
This reverse, by house sculptor Steve Adams was initially
selected as the one which would appear on the official medal.
It was later rejected by an inaugural committee executive and
Lot 281
know of only one other example of this medal sold at auction.
In our 2011 81
st
Sale, an Unc. specimen brought $316.25.
Vice President Cheney took one look at the Cheney portrait and
instantly “knew” that the Vice President would not be happy
with it. The result was a compromise with the original obverse
by Gladys Gunzer being retained and a new reverse featuring
the Presidential Seal was substituted for the eagle reverse. An
example of this medal also brought $316.25 in our 81st Sale. 3
years later, another example brought $433.00 on eBay.