The John F. Kennedy Inaugural medal, issued in 1961, purchased by my parents. The medal is approximately 2.75inches (7 cm) in diameter. It was produced by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

At the time this was struck, one medal was struck in gold every four years and presented to the President. Then 7,500 were minted and numbered; the first ten were reserved for the Cabinet. Yes, in 1961 you could seat the President's entire cabinet in a small room. The balance of the silver, plus approximately 20,000 bronze medals, were then available to the public.

The obverse traditionally contained a portrait in profile. The reverse, prior to Kennedy, bore the Seal of the United States but beginning with this medal contained the Presidential Seal.