The U.S. Mint today releases the final Presidential Silver Medal for the year, featuring Grover Cleveland. This medal honors Cleveland, the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms, first as the 22nd president from 1885 to 1889 and then as the 24th from 1893 to 1897.
Like the earlier medals in the series, this collectible is crafted from 1 troy ounce of 99.9% fine silver and measures 1.598 inches in diameter.
Grover Cleveland was born on March 18, 1837. At 18, he began clerking for a law firm in Buffalo, New York, and was admitted to the New York Bar in 1859. During these early years, Cleveland lived modestly, using his extra income to support his mother and sisters.
Cleveland’s political career began in 1870 when he secured his first Democratic win as Sheriff of Erie County, Pennsylvania. After his term, he returned to law, but in 1882, he was elected mayor of Buffalo. His efforts to combat government corruption earned him national attention. By 1883, Cleveland had risen to governor of New York, where he continued his anti-corruption efforts.
Only two years later, he became the President of the United States. His first task to was to fill a number of jobs by Presidential appointment. Typically, this was done along party lines but Cleveland vowed not to fire any Republican who was performing their duties and to not hire any Democrats solely based on their political affiliation. He also sought to remove a number of federal positions as the government had become overwhelmed with political do-nothings.
On June 2, 1886, Cleveland who was 49 married Frances Folsom, aged 21. Cleveland lost the 1888 election to Benjamin Harrison but would return to office four years later to serve two terms making him the only individual to be President for unconsecutive terms. By the end, though, he had lost favor even with his own political party. He passed away on June 24, 1908 at the age of 71.
U.S. Mint Presidential Medal Programs
Presidential medals, produced by the U.S. Mint, have a long history dating back to the nation’s early years, traditionally awarded as "Peace Medals" to Native American leaders. The modern Presidential Silver Medals series launched in 2018, with each release associated with the following sales:
- George Washington – 35,734
- John Adams – 23,869
- Thomas Jefferson – 24,581
- James Madison – 17,119
- James Monroe – 15,451
- John Quincy Adams – 14,994
- Andrew Jackson – 16,851
- Martin Van Buren – 13,921
- William Henry Harrison – 13,782
- John Tyler – 13,815
- James K. Polk – 13,429
- Zachary Taylor – 13,191
- Millard Fillmore – 12,801
- Franklin Pierce – 12,691
- James Buchanan – 12,462
- Abraham Lincoln – 19,415
- Andrew Johnson – 12,673
- Ulysses S. Grant – 13,684
- Rutherford B. Hayes – 11,682
- James A. Garfield – 11,457
- Chester A. Arthur – 10,598
The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Silver Medal debuted on February 13, 2024, followed by the James Garfield medal on April 30, and the Chester A. Arthur medal on August 8.
Medal Designs and Specifications
U.S. Mint artist C.E. Barber created the designs found on the Cleveland medal. The obverse (heads) depicts Grover Cleveland with the inscription "GROVER CLEVELAND." Appearing on the reverse is an oak wreath along with the inscriptions "INAUGURATED PRESIDENT OF∙THE∙UNITED∙STATES MARCH∙4∙1885" and "SECOND∙TERM MARCH∙4∙1893."
Presidential silver medals feature a matte finish, giving them an appearance similar to that of uncirculated coins. Additional specifications for these medals include:
Denomination: | N/A |
---|---|
Finish: | Matte |
Composition: | 99.9% Silver |
Weight: | 1.000 troy oz. |
Diameter: | 1.598 in. |
Edge: | Plain |
Mint and Mint Mark: | N/A |
Privy Mark: | None |
Ordering and Price
Grover Cleveland Silver Medals are available through the U.S. Mint’s catalog for silver medals, with no mintage or household order limits. Each medal is priced at $90.
Although I do not collect these, I think most if not all look pretty nice. These Medals for the most part have a very nice eye appeal. I can see why there’s collectors out there collecting these. You can’t collect everything so you must pick and choose your favorite interests and/or likings.
Well, as always, Good Luck ALL!!!
Agree AK, the artistry on these is really nice. I think it may due to the fact that these designs were originally done over a hundred years ago. If done today, there would be artist and engravers initials everywhere and in a large font size. Plus the design would not have the classic look.
East Coast Guru and AKBob,
As you know I don’t buy or collect medals but I do agree this is an attractive series.
The “Working Dogs” may yet get their day in the park, with a commemorative coin program? Larry Jewett for Coin World, link below, titled: “Monday Morning Brief for Sept. 30, 2024: Will dogs get their due?” Article also mentions other proposed coins for the commemorative coin programs in 2025 and 2026. Only one slated for 2025 so far is the US Marine Corps 225th Anniversary. So one more can be approved for 2025 and nothing on the books(approved) so far for 2026.
https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/monday-morning-brief-for-sept-30-2024-will-dogs-get-their-due
Thanks Cali, yes they’ll get their day!
And our friend Christo will cheer them on!
I’m not such a fan of the doggy coin, but to each their own!
I think you were on vacation a few months back when this subject came along, so here’s what we chatted about then. It’s a mixed bag of topics, as usual…..
https://www.coinnews.net/2024/05/24/bill-recognizing-americas-working-dogs-clears-house-hurdle/#comments
Rick and CaliSkier,
Considering the small percentages out of of the huge allotments of Commemorative Coins that manage to get sold by the Mint wouldn’t it be better to just have one such Commemorative every year rather than two? The added advantage would be that there wouldn’t be a need to reach so far out into the realm of ever more esoteric subjects to find something “worthy” of commemorating. One and done, done and dusted.
I buy ’em all but I concur. One is enough.
I’ll play devils advocate on this one Kaiser. In any given year there are way, way more than 2 events that are beyond worthy of commemorating on US Coinage. The problem lies in the ability or lack thereof to think outside the box IMO. The hang up is the groups lobbying for and support, knowledge and again or lack thereof, within Congress to get any given program through the legislative process to make it happen. Next year the Gemini 3-7 space program is worthy and people, coin collectors love space themed coins. Also the 250th Anniversary of the US Army,… Read more »
CaliSkier,
Once again you’ve hit the coin right on the head. If I had delved into this situation a bit further I could have more reasonably and clearly opined that the core issue was the questionable significance of some of the things being commemorated or up for consideration as such.
Rick.
I could care less about dogs on coins. Clearly, I was just pointing out why sales would be strong.
To quote: https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/monday-morning-brief-for-sept-30-2024-will-dogs-get-their-due
“If the Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act passes, it’ll be the first time we see a canine on a commemorative coin, which is hard to imagine.”
Lets just start there.
“it’ll be the first time we see a canine on a commemorative coin, which is hard to imagine.”
Hard to imagine a dog hasn’t appeared on a coin yet or hard to imagine that anyone would ever put a dog on a coin?
I merely wished to point out that the above statement seems to be open to more than one interpretation.
Thanks Christo,
I’ll disagree with potential strong sales, and I may be very wrong!
And thanks for the recommendation on the Commem book by Whitman.
Rick,
I’ll have no problem admitting I was wrong if it turns out I was. Time will tell.
The book I recommended should be a must read for everyone who posts on this site reguarding commemorative coins.
Knowing why we have these coins in the first place and who is responsible for them would hopefully eliminate alot of the posts that are being made here for clearly politcal reasons….but i doubt it.
Christo,
I’m feeling very hopeful and actually rather happy about the self-control everyone here has been demonstrating in regard to avoiding any hint of political commentary. A new day has dawned!
Hopefully. And as I said in my earlier post:
Time will tell.
Actually, they should mint “Cat” coins too. LOLOL!
Sam-I-Am, guys,
I’m back home in arid CO taking a break from humid FL, but only for a week & then heading back! NC sure got hammered from Helene, wow..
The mineral example below(1″x1″x1″) from my grandfather’s collection is labelled “Silicium Carbide”…
Apparently a man made substance and used in industry as an abrasive among other uses? It looks to be called Silicon Carbide as well?
Whatever it is, it’s a cool looking little piece of chemistry!
And now I’m on to checking in on a few of my coins!….
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_carbide
Thanks E1,
A very interesting and important industrial element!
It is a compound of carbon and silicon. It can be man-made and is also common in meteorites.
Common wisdom may have assumed that Florida would bear the brunt of the hurricane but lo and behold it was North Carolina that took the knockout punch.
Kaiser,
Sad to say, that’s how it worked out. My wife & I are unscathed here in the north-central part of the state, but just 2 counties over, they had bad flooding. Asheville and neighboring areas in the western mountains were devastated. I would encourage anyone with the inclination to help, please consider donations to American Red Cross. They are one of the major agencies assisting with recovery/cleanup.
Sam-I-am,
So glad to hear you and your wife were spared the major devastation that hit other areas of your state, not that this is any consolation to those who were most unfortunately so caught in the worst of it. It’s a good thing our country has a history of pluck and resilience and hopefully as such those more unlucky folks will be back on their feet sooner rather than later.
Rick,
Thanks for remembering my interest! And an even better photo of your specimen! Very cool – treasure that one.
Glen Campbell
Rest in Peace
(81, Alzheimer’s)
Uh-oh another one.
Bummer Alzheimer’s..
RIP