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Identification

1973 Richard Nixon & Spiro Agnew Official Second Inaugural Bronze Medal

Photo reference

2 uploaded photos

Overview

The medal is definitively identified by the explicit text on the reverse stating 'PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON - VICE PRESIDENT SPIRO AGNEW' and the inauguration date 'JANUARY 20 1973'.

Story

This is the official inaugural medal for the second term of President Richard Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew, held on January 20, 1973. It was designed by the renowned sculptor Gilroy Roberts, the ninth Chief Engraver of the US Mint (famous for designing the obverse of the Kennedy half dollar), and struck by the Franklin Mint. The secondary market for modern presidential inaugural medals is highly saturated, particularly for bronze editions from the 1970s.

Maker / Origin

Gilroy Roberts

Condition & Value

For modern bronze medals, value is heavily dependent on the preservation of the high-relief surfaces and the original mint patina. Any spotting, verdigris (green oxidation), fingerprints, or edge rim dings will push the value toward the lower end of the range.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Market Analysis

The secondary market for modern presidential inaugural medals is highly saturated, particularly for bronze editions from the 1970s. Buyers are typically political memorabilia collectors, presidential historians, or casual numismatists. Prices remain relatively flat and accessible, with most raw bronze examples trading under $30 unless accompanied by pristine original packaging or certified in high grades by a major grading service.

Value Drivers

▲ Official Gilroy Roberts design, adding numismatic crossover appeal

▲ High-relief bronze striking provides excellent display quality

▲ Consistent secondary market demand from political memorabilia collectors

Concerns

▼ Unverified diameter — if this is a smaller souvenir variant rather than the official 2. 75-inch medal, value drops significantly

▼ Unverified original packaging — missing the Franklin Mint display box and paperwork removes the complete-set premium

▼ Potential surface handling marks or rim dings could limit the appeal to condition-sensitive collectors

Best Venue

List as a fixed-price Buy-It-Now item on platforms like eBay or Etsy, as auction formats for common medals often close below fair market value. Price at $25 to allow room for offers, explicitly highlighting the Gilroy Roberts design in the title. If you have the original Franklin Mint box and easel stand, include them in the photos to justify a price closer to $30.

Upside Potential

If the medal is confirmed via edge hallmarks and weight to be the much rarer solid silver edition rather than bronze, the value would shift dramatically upward to align with its bullion content and scarcity premium ($150+). For the bronze edition, pristine original packaging and flawless surfaces are required to exceed $30.

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Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 1 comp

Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.

  • Live Auction World· 2023-03-12
    1973 President Richard Nixon & Vice President Spiro Agnew Sterling Silver & Bronze Inaugural Medals
    Lot includes a sterling silver medal, which significantly alters the value compared to a bronze-only subject.
    $12