A detailed guide to the Medals can be found here — The Book. Also, the Medals are discussed on this Coin World podcast and this Newman Numismatic Portal Symposium presentation.
Obverse: Profile of President Herbert Hoover / “Inauguration • March 4 1929”
Reverse: Seal of the United States / “Herbert Hoover President Charles Curtis Vice President” / Highlights of Hoover’s Career: Star Shining on Western Europe, Mining Equipment, Symbols of Commerce
Edgemark: N/A
Size: 70mm
Designer: Henry K. Bush-Brown
Medallist: Medallic Art Company (die manufacture) / United States Mint (striking)
Mintage: 2 (Gold) / (Silver) / 1012 (Bronze)
- The 1929 Medal marks a return to the inaugural medal tradition after two successive Inaugural Committees (1921 and 1925) failed to authorize a striking.
- The Inaugural Committee revived the inaugural medal despite cancelling the inaugural ball and other festivities.
- Henry K. Bush-Brown — a member of the Inaugural Committee — was selected to design the medal.
- The reverse depicts highlights from President Hoover’s working life, including his involvement in the European relief efforts following WWI, his career as a mining engineer and his role as Secretary of Commerce in the Harding Administration.
- The 1929 Medal marked the first occasion on which the Inaugural Committee offered to the public the opportunity to purchase medals. The medals were initially sold for $2.50 each.
Presidential Inaugural Medals 