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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,872 |
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New Member
United States
48 Posts |
Harry S. Truman Presidential Inauguration medallion. Here's one that I got but do have some questions about it. I've seen the huge 75mm from the Mint without a mintmark. This one is 34mm and has a "D" mintmark, I've only seen a few with the "D" mintmark, most of them don't have a mintmark or might have a different reverse. My questions, is this an official Mint product from the Denver mint or from a lesser known mint? Any ideal what year it was minted?   |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12263 Posts |
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My questions, is this an official Mint product from the Denver mint or from a lesser known mint? Any ideal what year it was minted? The medal shown was struck by the US Mint facility in Denver ("D" mint mark); medals of the same design were also struck in Philadelphia ( no mint mark). The medal is not a Truman Inauguration medal, it is simply a List Medal of the US Mint (#132, large-format) and is included in its Presidential Series. The Mint struck high-relief large-format versions of the medal along with the small bronze version you have shown; the List Medal number for the small version is 832. The small or "minature" medals, as the Mint sometimes refers to them, have been struck periodically since the mid-1970s (List Medals are struck "as needed" - they are not struck every year). My understanding is that the Denver strikes of the miniature Presidential Series medal were discontinued in the 1980s. Hope that helps! Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Moderator
United States
188052 Posts |
Steve, your reply was split into its own topic for the proper attention.  |
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New Member
 United States
48 Posts |
@jbuck, Thanks for starting the new topic. I was debating starting it in a new topic or putting it in the medals topic where it was. Wasn't sure where it would be better suited.
@commends, Thank you for the reply. That does help out. I had searched for a website that might list the different Mint medals but hadn't really found one yet. Do you know of one or would you recommend a reference book that would have an extensive list of them?
I hope you both have a great day and again, Thank you for the replies!
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Moderator
United States
188052 Posts |
You are welcome! |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5178 Posts |
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The small or "minature" medals, as the Mint sometimes refers to them, have been struck periodically since the mid-1970s (List Medals are struck "as needed" - they are not struck every year). Why would they be called "miniature"? A diameter of 34 mm is any but miniature. In fact, the medal is almost the size of a dollar coin. |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12263 Posts |
Ah NumisEd, you do like to poke and prod! The Mint began calling the small versions of its large medals "miniature" in 1971. The Mint launched its Youth Education Program in 1971 and produced what it called "miniature" bronze versions of the large medals in the Presidential Series with the goal of making a lower-cost item that would be affordable by young collectors. Small versions of the Mint's other List Medals came in the years that followed. "Miniature" is defined as a much smaller size than normal, especially for replicas. In comparison to the large, generally three-inch medals of the Presidential Series, the smaller replica medals could easily be considered "miniature." So, the term is not without honest justification. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Moderator
United States
188052 Posts |
A great explanation. It is all relative.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5178 Posts |
I always wondered why "regular" medals were so large (3 inch). That size seems unwieldy to me. Not to mention that when you want to store them safely, they don't fit in any TPG slab nor in a 2x2 coin flip or similar holders. |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12263 Posts |
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Do you know of one or would you recommend a reference book that would have an extensive list of them? It is long out of print and a bit dated, but I find that Medals of the United States Mint. Issued for Public Sale by Captain Kenneth M. Failor (published by the US Government Printing Office) is still a good reference for US Mint medals. Many of the medals in the book are not currently available for purchase from the Mint, but most can be found for sale on the internet. I'll see what else I have that may help. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12263 Posts |
Quote:That size seems unwieldy to me. Not to mention that when you want to store them safely, they don't fit in any TPG slab nor in a 2x2 coin flip or similar holders. The numismatic world does not live by 2x2's alone! There are 4"x4" flips available and matching row boxes available to house medals - I have a bunch. There are also some capsules available that work well. Regarding TPGs - check again, they've been grading and encapsulating large medals for several years already. The larger size of many medals provides an artist with a much bigger "canvas" for which a design can be optimized - far few compromises needed vs. with coins. I personally love the high-relief that is available on larger medals - it can be quite stunning if done well! I've never considered the size unwieldy, but to each his own! Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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New Member
United States
48 Posts |
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It is long out of print and a bit dated, but I find that Medals of the United States Mint. Issued for Public Sale by Captain Kenneth M. Failor (published by the US Government Printing Office) is still a good reference for US Mint medals. I believe this is the reference book you are talking about. I ordered it yesterday. Can't have too many books! Thanks!  |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12263 Posts |
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I believe this is the reference book you are talking about. I ordered it yesterday. Can't have too many books! Thanks! That's the one. Enjoy! Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,872 |
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Posted 11/08/2021 09:59 am
