Barack Obama Presidential Inaugural Medal

Marc Mellon, Thomas D. Rogers, Barack Obama Presidential Inaugural Medal, 2009, gold, 1 1⁄4 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
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
Classifications
Subjects
  • Occupation — political — president
  • Ceremony — civic — inauguration
  • Portrait male — Obama, Barack
Object Number
2010.64.6R-V
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/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 (1 item)

Ray Growler, Billy Goat, ca. 1990, mixed media: carved wood with horns, wool, hide, and plastic, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.63
Billy Goat
Artist
Dateca. 1990
mixed media: carved wood with horns, wool, hide, and plastic
Not on view