Irregular Postings on Coin Collecting & Numismatics - Both Canonical & Conanical

A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars

Numismatists Do Not Fear Change

Tag Archives: Truman

The 1949 Inaugural Medal of BSI Member Harry S Truman

The 1949 Inaugural Medal of BSI Member Harry S Truman

“The leader alone retained his stern, impressive expression.”

– A Study In Scarlet (STUD)

President Harry Truman holds up a copy of the Chicago Daily Tribune declaring his defeat to Thomas Dewey in the presidential election, St Louis, MIssouri, November 1948. (Photo by Underwood Archives/Getty Images)

The polls indicated that a Presidential candidate would win the general election handily. However, when the votes were tabulated, the other candidate was victorious. Are we talking about the recent 2016 Presidential election? No, we are referring to the 1948 Presidential election where incumbent Harry S Truman defeated Thomas Dewey.

Truman was made an honorary member of the Baker Street Irregulars by Edgar W. Smith. With the upcoming 2017 Presidential inauguration days away, this seems like an appropriate time to discuss Truman’s 1949 inaugural medal.

Truman’s inaugural medal features a robust portrait of Truman, facing left, surrounded by 48 stars in the obverse. The reverse features a striking figure of Liberty and a group of small figures below, symbolizing the aspirations of humanity for Freedom. The reverse is inscribed: HARRY S/ TRUMAN/ INAUGURATED PRESIDENT/ OF THE/ UNITED STATES/ JANUARY 20/ 1949.

The 51mm medal had 7,500 copies struck in bronze, more than double the quantity struck for Roosevelt’s 1945 inauguration. Copies are also known to exist in gold and silver. Carl Paul Jennewein, a noted sculptor residing in the Bronx section of New York, designed the medal, which was struck by the United States Mint in Philadelphia. Earlier, in 1933, Jennewein designed the Glory and Fame medal in the Society of Medallist’s series. More information about Jennewein can be found HERE.

Liberian 1995 Coins Honoring BSI Members Roosevelt & Truman

Liberian 1995 Coins Honoring BSI Members Roosevelt & Truman

“He is a man of the world with a natural turn for diplomacy.” – The Adventures of The Illustrious Client (ILLU)   In 1995, the African nation of Liberia issued a series of commemorative coins honoring leaders from World War II.  Honorary Baker Street Irregulars (BSI) members Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman were each… Continue Reading

Trivia Answer: Has An BSI Member Been Awarded An Congressional Gold Medal?

Trivia Answer: Has An BSI Member Been Awarded An Congressional Gold Medal?

Congratulations to James O’Leary, the 28th Garrideb, who was the first to reply correctly to our recent trivia question. The question was “has a member of the Baker Street Irregulars been awarded an Congressional Gold Medal, and if so, whom? O’Leary responded that President Harry S Truman, who was an honorary member of the BSI,… Continue Reading

Harry S. Truman $1 Coin To Be Available February 5th

Harry S. Truman $1 Coin To Be Available February 5th

  On February 5, 2015, the United States Mint will release the Harry S. Truman Presidential Dollar for sale in bulk (25 coin rolls, 100 coin bags and 250 coin boxes). The coin, like all Presidential dollars issued since 2012, will not be released into general circulation. These coins will be struck at the Philadelphia… Continue Reading

A Second 2015 Coin for BSI Member Harry S. Truman?

A Second 2015 Coin for BSI Member Harry S. Truman?

We recently discussed the upcoming 2015 Harry S. Truman Presidential dollar coin. Truman, an honorary member of the Baker Street Irregulars, might also appear on another coin in 2015, depending on what the final design of the Bess Truman First Spouse $10 coin.  Two of the six submitted reverse designs feature the image of Truman.… Continue Reading

BSI Member Harry S. Truman to be honored on 2015 Dollar

BSI Member Harry S. Truman to be honored on 2015 Dollar

President Harry S. Truman, an honorary member of the Baker Street Irregulars, will be featured on the first presidential dollar of 2015.  Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson will also be honored later in the year. The Truman dollar coin will be the 33rd coin in the presidential series.  The… Continue Reading