Artwork Details
- Title
- Barack Obama Presidential Inaugural Medal
- Artists
- Date
- 2009
- Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 1 1⁄4 in. (3.2 cm)
- Copyright
- © 2009, Medal Craft Mint
- Credit Line
- Gift of the James F. Dicke Family
- Mediums Description
- gold
- 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.