1801 Thomas Jefferson Inaugural Medal. Julian PR-2. Silver. 811.6 grains. 45.2 mm. 4.2 - 4.5 mm thick. Very Fine. Collaring mark or witness line on edge left of 12:00.；One of the most desirable of all early U.S. mint medals, this John Reich production was coined to mark both Thomas Jeffersons 1801 inauguration and the 25th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It marked Reichs first credited work for the United States Mint, starting a career that would last until 1817 and completely remake the face of American coinage. Reichs diminutive signature cursive R appears on the truncation of his attractive bust of Jefferson, a portrait similar to the one that appears on the Jefferson Indian Peace medal.<br /><br />Struck in both white metal and silver, this examples composition is both nobler and rarer. White metal examples rarely survive in choice condition, and while this specimen has its condition issues, it retains hints of peripheral lustre and lovely old toning, mingling deep olive in protected areas with silver gray over the devices and fields. Scratches criss-cross the left reverse field and trace around Jeffersons profile, with less noticeable ones seen below the reverse eagle, running vertically in the left obverse field and behind Jeffersons head, over his collar, and up and down his shoulder. Both sides show a few notable rim bruises and smaller rim nicks, most notable at the base of the obverse and above UNDER on the reverse. The sharpness is good, and evidence of typical double striking is plain around the reverse legends, particularly at WING and in the exergue.<br /><br />There are likely fewer than 25 Jefferson Inaugural medals extant in both compositions, fewer than half of which are silver. They were never restruck or made in an inexpensive modern bronze format. Examples are offered rarely, with years occasionally passing between auction appearances. <br />；
