I am a casual collector but would like to get an original 3-inch diameter bronze Kennedy inaugural medal struck by the U.S. Mint in 1961. I want to be sure that it is not a recently made reproduction by the Mint as I know they offer smaller replicas now. Did the Mint make 3-inch replicas, too? I called the Mint but was unable to get a clear answer.

There are some 3-inch medals offered on eBay that are still sealed in plastic, or so they say, but are these originals or replicas? If there are no 3-inch replicas, this will make it easier to have confidence in a selection.

Stephen R. Kinder

Overland Park, Kan.

The medal referenced in Mr. Kinder’s letter is from the Mint’s Presidential medal series, which originated in the 19th century. While many of these medals reference the inauguration, they are not the “official” inaugural medals. Official inaugural medals are privately commissioned, designed and sold by the president’s inaugural committee.

Currently, the Mint offers for sale only a select number of bronze presidential medals. These are offered in both 3-inch and 1.3125-inch diameters. The Kennedy medal is currently unavailable.

Whether “restrikes” exist for the Mint’s Kennedy Presidential medal is probably a matter of semantics. The Mint likely struck quantities as needed to fill orders after the initial numbers were struck, but to characterize these additional strikings as “restrikes” is probably unnecessary. “Restrikes” of earlier Mint Presidential medals exist, however, distinguished from “originals” by different finishes.

For a collector seeking an “original” Kennedy inaugural medal struck in 1961, David Alexander writes: “The official John F. Kennedy Inaugural Medal was struck by Medallic Art Company, then based in New York City. It was designed by the late Paul Manship at the suggestion of the First Lady [Jacqueline Kennedy]. Presidential Art Medals (PAM) was a private company based in Englewood (later Vandalia), Ohio. ...

“The official Inaugural Medal was struck in 70-mm gold (one for the President); 7,500 in silver and 53,331 in bronze for public sale.

“There have been no restrikes, but there is a lightweight counterfeit made years ago in Hong Kong that has a cheap goldish color and extra lines of type below the eagle. All genuine medals bear the incuse medallic art co. n.y. on the edge.

“The official medals are less costly today than in the 1960s. The bronze are selling for $50 or less, the silver at $150 to 200, occasionally more.”

Coin World’s Readers Ask department does not accept coins or other items for examination without prior permission from staff member Erik Martin. Readers Ask also does not examine error or variety coins. Materials sent to Readers Ask without prior permission will be returned unexamined. Please address all Readers Ask inquiries to emartin@coinworld.com or call 800-673-8311, Ext. 274.