Saint-Gaudens vs. Barber: Dueling Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Medals

BY ERIC BROTHERS

Two medals were created to honor Theodore Roosevelt’s second term as President of the United States (1905-1909). But why on earth were two medals needed? Well, there would have been no need for the second if Roosevelt had been happy with the first. But he wasn’t. He absolutely hated it. It was going to carry virtually the same design as the one created by the U.S. Mint for his inaugural medal of 1901. The obverse of the official inaugural medal was designed by Charles E. Barber and displays Roosevelt facing left. The reverse, created by George T. Morgan, reads, INAUGURATED/PRESIDENT/OF THE/UNITED STATES/MARCH 4/1905. Branches of oak leaves with acorns tied together with a ribbon also adorn it. In small letters, at about 7 to 8 o’clock, is JOS. K. DAVISON’S…

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Numismatic News (Digital) - 1 Issue, November 26, 2024

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