Ronald Reagan Bronze Medal Photos

By
Mike Unser
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4

The United States Mint has struck Presidential medals since the early days of the nation when they were presented to important leaders at historic events such as treaty signings. Today, bronze medals of presidents are minted and sold to collectors.

Ronald Reagan Bronze Medals
These two photos show the Ronald Reagan Bronze Medals in the 3-inch and 1-5/16-inch sizes

In November, the U.S. Mint reissued medals honoring Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. Now’s a good time to see new Regan medals since a .999 fine silver version is expected to be included in the 2016 Ronald Reagan Coin & Chronicles Set.

Authorized by Congress and struck at the U.S. Mint facility in Philadelphia, the Presidential bronze medals for sale to the public are produced in two sizes using blanks that are composed in 90% copper and 10% zinc. The larger medals show the best detail. More time and care goes into their making and they have much higher reliefs.

"The smaller medals are produced on presses much like those that are used to make coins," the Mint describes on its website. "The larger, 3-inch, high-relief medals are struck multiple times on hydraulic presses and hand finished."

That said, a larger medal is nearly 6X the price of a smaller one.

Below are some photos of the 3-inch and 1-5/16-inch Reagan medals. You’ll quickly notice the high-relief aspects of the larger one.

Ronald Reagan Bronze Medals, Obverses
Designed and sculpted by Elizabeth Jones, medal obverses (heads side) offer a portrait of the president with the inscription RONALD REAGAN centered along the top of the medal and PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES centered along the lower border.

Ronald Reagan Bronze Medals, Reverses
Also designed and sculpted by Elizabeth Jones, medal reverses feature the Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Inscriptions are LET US RENEW OUR FAITH AND OUR HOPE. WE HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO DREAM HEROIC DREAMS, from the Reagan’s Inaugural Address. Included are the additional inscriptions INAUGURATED JANUARY 20, 1981 and YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK.

Ronald Reagan Bronze 3-inch Medal, Obverse Side
This photo shows a closer surface view of the 3-inch medal’s obverse, revealing the high-relief aspects of Reagan’s protrait

Ronald Reagan Bronze 3-inch Medal, Reverse Side
This photo offers a closer view of the 3-inch medal’s reverse, highlighting the high-relief rock formation design

Medal prices vary by size. The smaller 1-5/16-inch medals are $6.95 each while the larger 3-inch medals are $39.95 each. To order, visit the U.S. Mint’s online medals page.

Below are two photos of the simple medal packaging.

Ronald Reagan Bronze Medals, Outer Wrapping
Both medals are sealed in wrapping. The smaller medal ships this way.

Ronald Reagan Bronze 3-Inch Medal Packaging
Larger medals ship in a protective box and include two plastic pieces that slide together and form a stand

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Seth Riesling

Mike Unser-

Thanks for sharing your photos. The smaller medal is 1.5 inch diameter. The First Spouse bronze medals are 1& five sixteenth inch diameter.

-NumisDudeTX

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Christopher Williams

Thank you, Mike, for posting.

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Seth Riesling

Mike Unser- I had the great honor of meeting Chief Sculptor-Engraver of the U.S. Mint (the first & only female to hold that position) in the late 1980s & early 1990s at ANA coin conventions. She was already known worldwide for having studied sculpture in Italy as a professional. We were both members of the American Medallic Sculpture Association & I loved her U.S. coin & medal designs. She autographed all my Mint COAs for me. PCGS & now NGC are charging! $20 extra for her autograph on their coin slab labels now! She is still making a living in… Read more »

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Seth Riesling

I accidentally left out her name on the above post. U.S. Mint Chief Sculptor-Engraver Elizabeth Jones. The only female to ever hold that position in US history!

-NumisDudeTX

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