Thanks for your comments on this subject. I used to be a very active member of the American Medallic Sculpture Association and maybe i am being too tough on the U.S. Mint’s small 1.5-inch bronze medals quality. I should have mentioned i have a number of them in OMP/OGP & despite the thin Mylar plastic they are issued in they still have some quality control problems. I don’t expect such an inexpensive item to be perfect, but IMHO i don’t think any human eyes ever looked at them before they shipped back in the days years ago when i did order some directly from the Mint. Please keep us posted on your experience with these newly re-issued presidential medals when you get them & photos of the ones you receive would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Mr. Unser!

-NumisDudeTX

Personally, I don’t have much experience in buying bronze products from the U.S. Mint. I did order the American Fighter Aces Medal in both sizes and they were impressive. I need to post some photos of them.

We’ll order some of the newly reissued Presidential bronze medals.

As Mike Unser’s photos in this article show, the U.S. Mint’s quality on all their small bronze medals has been poor for many years in my experience! Discoloration spots & numerous scratches & rim dings are common on these issues. Although the larger 3-inch versions seem to be of better quality in my experience. But, who wants to pay $39.95 for a 90% copper, 10% zinc “Pinchbeck” alloy bronze medal that doesn’t even come with a certificate of authenticity or historical description card? I just wait till my local coin dealers get a few from sellers who are desperate to sell their late family members collections & i buy from the local dealers at $1 for the small version and $8-$10 for the large size. I like collecting these medals, but i don’t waste my money purchasing these low-quality bronze medals directly from the U.S Mint.

-NumisDudeTX