Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Medal [reverse]

Art Historical Context

This bronze medal, created in 1905, commemorates the inauguration of President Theodore Roosevelt for his second term. Following his election victory in 1904, the piece captures a pivotal moment in American history when Roosevelt’s progressive policies and energetic leadership were shaping the nation’s future. As the reverse side of the official inaugural medal, it serves as a tangible reminder of early 20th-century civic traditions that celebrated presidential transitions through finely crafted objects. Engraver and modeler George Morgan, known for his work at the U.S. Mint, designed the medal with assistance from manufacturer Joseph K. Davison’s Sons. Measuring just 4.45 centimeters across, the bronze medium allowed for durable yet detailed relief work that could be produced in multiple copies for distribution. Classified as sculpture, this small-scale work highlights how medals function as portable monuments, blending engraving precision with three-dimensional modeling to honor public figures. Today part of the National Gallery of Art’s Corcoran Collection, the medal reflects the cultural importance of commemorative art in documenting presidential legacies. Its presence in the museum invites visitors to consider how such objects once connected citizens to national events, preserving both historical memory and artistic craftsmanship for future generations.