Exceedingly rare 'process' set of 2017 inaugural medals commemorating Donald Trump's swearing-in as president, showing the progression of the medal's design from raw bronze planchet to finished medal. The six-piece set demonstrates the several-step process of striking and finishing the historic medal: the first strike lacks detail in the high-relief surfaces (especially in Trump's nose on the obverse and in details in the seal on the reverse) while the later examples show finer details and the steps in the coating and finishing process, adding shadows and highlights to the medal's surfaces. The last medal is the finished version, with a "Medalcraft Mint" hallmark stamped on the bottom edge. Each medal measures 2.75˝ in diameter and weighs about 170 grams. Complete with their wooden display stand.
The front features a portrait of Donald Trump in a suit and tie in front of the White House; the reverse features the seal of the president of the United States, encircled by the legend: "Forty-Fifth President of the United States of America, Inaugurated January 20, 2017." Much debate took place over the design of this medal, as Trump wanted the White House as the backdrop for his portrait, but legal counsel advised that he was not permitted to use the White House image prior to being sworn in. He ultimately got his way, and this became the only inaugural medal that Trump personally authorized.
It is believed that only 12–15 of these 'process' sets were created by the Medalcraft Mint to be presented to select members of the Trump family and a few VIPs; one is said to be displayed at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. A similar set sold at Heritage in 2023 for $2,625.
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