Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Inaugural Medal, 1945
Object numberMO 1945.78.1
Name
Medal, Commemorative
Artist
Jo Davidson
(American sculptor, 1883-1952)
Maker
United States Mint Philadelphia (Philadelphia Mint)
(American, founded 1792)
Date1945
Mediummetal (gold)
Dimensionsobject (medallion) Diam 1 3/4 in x D 1/8 in (0.3 cm x 4.4 cm )
box/case H 1 in x W 2 5/8 in x D 2 5/8 in (2.5 cm x 6.7 cm x 6.7 cm )
box/case H 1 in x W 2 5/8 in x D 2 5/8 in (2.5 cm x 6.7 cm x 6.7 cm )
DescriptionA small, round, official medal in honor of Franklin D. Roosevelt's 4th Inauguration in 1945.
OBVERSE: A right-facing relief profile of the head of FDR with his naval boat cloak just visible on his shoulders. The artist's name is on the left side of the profile: Jo DAVIDSON. The profile is encircled by a raised inscription that reads: FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT ~ FOURTH INAUGURATION 1945.
REVERSE: Jo Davidson also designed the reverse of the medal which features the relief image of a three-masted sailing ship under full sail. The ship is encircled by a relief inscription that reads: THOU TOO SAIL ON O SHIP OF STATE - SAIL ON O UNION STRONG AND GREAT.
Label Text3,000 copies of an inaugural medal commemorating the fourth inauguration of President Roosevelt were produced in bronze by the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia and sold for $2 each. OBVERSE: A right-facing relief profile of the head of FDR with his naval boat cloak just visible on his shoulders. The artist's name is on the left side of the profile: Jo DAVIDSON. The profile is encircled by a raised inscription that reads: FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT ~ FOURTH INAUGURATION 1945.
REVERSE: Jo Davidson also designed the reverse of the medal which features the relief image of a three-masted sailing ship under full sail. The ship is encircled by a relief inscription that reads: THOU TOO SAIL ON O SHIP OF STATE - SAIL ON O UNION STRONG AND GREAT.
This version of the medal in gold was intended for FDR.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by the Inaugural Medal Committee on April 27, 1945 through Vice Chairman Melvin D. Hildreth.
Credit LineGift of the Inaugural Medal Committee
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.Collections
Non exposé
