Barack Obama Presidential Inaugural Medal

Marc Mellon, Thomas D. Rogers, Barack Obama Presidential Inaugural Medal, 2009, gold, 1 14 in. (3.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James F. Dicke Family, 2010.64.6R-V, © 2009, Medal Craft Mint

Artwork Details

Title
Barack Obama Presidential Inaugural Medal
Date
2009
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
1 14 in. (3.2 cm)
Copyright
© 2009, Medal Craft Mint
Credit Line
Gift of the James F. Dicke Family
Mediums Description
gold
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — Obama, Barack
  • Ceremony — civic — inauguration
  • Occupation — political — president
Object Number
2010.64.6R-V

Artwork Description

The 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee held a nationwide competition, selecting sculptor and medalist Marc Mellon to design the obverse of President Obama's inaugural medal. While working, Mellon kept in mind the challenges facing the new president and tried to portray him as strong and thoughtful. Thomas Rogers, the designer of the medal's reverse, continued this theme by including oak leaves to symbolize wisdom and strength. The reverse also depicts the inaugural seal, representing the first time in the history of official inaugural medals that the seal has been included.

Works by this artist (13 items)

Alexander Archipenko, Seated, 1935, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Donald J. Douglass, 2015.21
Seated
Date1935
marble
On view
Alexander Archipenko, Torso in Space, 1952-1953, lithograph, color screenprint, and embossing on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1984.87
Torso in Space
Date1952-1953
lithograph, color screenprint, and embossing on paper
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Claire Falkenstein, City is Man, 1941-1952, linocut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.14, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
City is Man
Date1941-1952
linocut
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Claire Falkenstein, Untitled, 1976, embossed paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.18, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Untitled
Date1976
embossed paper
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Mandala, 1977, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.19, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Mandala
Date1977
lithograph
Not on view
Nathan Oliveira, Site with Blue and White, 1978, monotype, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Moses Lasky, 2004.32.14
Site with Blue and White
Date1978
monotype
Not on view