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: Three-quarter Portrait of President Ronald Reagan and Portrait of Vice President George Bush / “Second Inauguration” / “January 20, 1985” / “Mico K”
Reverse: Spread-wing Eagle Encircled by a Wreath / “President Ronald Reagan” / “Vice President George Bush”
Edgemark: “(c) C. 50th A.P.I. MACO Bronze”
Size: 70mm
Designer: Mico Kaufman
Medallist: Medallic Art Company
Mintage: (Gold) / (Silver) / (Bronze)
- The Official 1985 Medal commemorates the 50th presidential inauguration.
- Mico Kaufman designed three presidential inaugural medals (the most of any individual sculptor) and one vice-presidential medal. His work was featured on the obverse of Ford’s official presidential inaugural medal, as well as Ford’s vice-presidential medal. Kaufman also designed the inaugural medal for George H.W. Bush.
- Among other accolades, Mico Kaufman was named Sculptor of the Year by the American Numismatic Society in 1978.
- Kaufman began working on the design following a 50-minute session with the president. According to a contemporaneous interview, Kaufman claims to have expended more time designing this Inaugural Medal than he spent on any of his other pieces in an effort to create “something unconventional.”
- The obverse of the 1985 Medal features a double portrait of President Reagan and Vice President Bush, a design following in the tradition of including the vice-president on a president’s second inaugural medal.
Presidential Inaugural Medals 