RONALD W. REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL SERIES COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL

   The Ronald W. Reagan Public Affairs Institute of the Clovis Free Press Foundation has designated 2000-2001 as the Year of Commemoration. The Foundation has obtained the last of the uncirculated Reagan Presidential Medals from the U.S. Mint in 1981. This Medal is rare and current bids being received are more than $500 each. Increase in value over time is highly probable. Market Price.

   The front of the Reagan Presidential Medal shows the distinctive facial profile of President Ronald Wilson Reagan. On the obverse side, the sculptured Yosemite Valley relief frames an inspiring quotation from the memorable Inaugural Speech of 1/10/81.

   The United State's Mint's traditional, continuing series of Presidential Medals commenced during the early days of the republic when official medals were called Indian Peace Medals bearing a portrait of the President on one side and a symbol of peace and friendship on the other were presented to Indian Chiefs on important occasions, such as treaty signing, and visits to the Nation's Capitol.

   The Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Medal was hand struck by the United States Mint, and varies slightly from piece-to-piece. Subtle nuances of color, tonality, brush strokes and design variations throughout a given pattern add richness to the medium.

   The Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Medal is available for purchase online. The Coins can also be ordered on the phone by calling the the Free Press Foundation office at 559-299-9349.

   This United States Mint traditional is a continuing series of Presidential Medals commenced during the early days of our country when medals (known as Indian Peace Medals) bearing a portrait of the President on one side and a symbol of peace and friendship on the other were presented to Indian Chiefs on important occasions, such as treaty signing and visits to Washington D.C. Although the issuance and presentation of Indian Peace Medals ceased many years ago, the practice of honoring each President with an official Mint medal continues to this day.

   Generally, when a president takes office, Mint artists begin developing design concepts for the Presidents' official medal. The obverse (front) of the medal bears a portrait of the President. The reverse (back) is inscribed with symbols of the presidency.

   Once the designs are approved, the engraving and dye-making process necessary to produce the bronze medal of the President begins. As soon as the President receives the official medal, the Mint makes duplicates of the medal available for public sale.

   President Reagan's Presidential Medal is a Limited Edition Presidential Medal struck in bronze and sold exclusively by the Presidential Library and Museum until supplies were completely depleted. The medal was issued by the U.S. Mint in Washington D.C. in 1983.

   Obverse bears a relief (raised) sculpture of President Reagan's smiling profile facing right. Reverse bears deeply engraved silhouette of prominent features in Yosemite Valley including El Capitan, Clouds Rest, Half Dome, Bridalveil Fall and Glacier Point. Yosemite was Reagan's favorite National Park. Reverse also bears the quote from President Reagan's Inauguration speech from January 20, 1981: "Let us renew our faith and our hope. We have every right to dream heroic dreams."

   The sculptor is E.A.B. Jones.

   The Clovis Free Press Foundation is a a division of the Web Portal Design Corp. a nonprofit charitable trust.