Celebrating the 26th President of the United States, the U.S. Mint today releases the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Silver Medal, available for purchase beginning at noon ET.
The medal is struck in one ounce of .999 fine silver and continues the Mint’s Presidential Silver Medal series, which launched in 2018 and honors the nation’s chief executives in the order they served. All medals in the series are produced at the Philadelphia Mint.
Theodore Roosevelt was born into a wealthy New York family on October 27, 1858. As a child, he suffered from poor health and asthma, but discovered that exercise helped reduce its effects. He graduated from Harvard in 1880 and enrolled at Columbia Law School, though he soon abandoned legal studies in favor of a career in politics, winning a seat in the New York State Assembly.
In 1884, following the deaths of his first wife and mother on the same day, Roosevelt temporarily left politics and headed west to the Dakota Territory. There, he established a cattle ranch, which he operated—alongside other pursuits—until the brutal winter of 1886–1887 decimated his herd. Returning to public life, Roosevelt served on the U.S. Civil Service Commission, became president of the New York City Board of Police Commissioners, and later served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
With the outbreak of the Spanish–American War in 1898, Roosevelt resigned from his Navy post and organized the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment – better known as the Rough Riders – which fought in Cuba. After the war, he resumed his political ascent, serving as the 33rd Governor of New York (1899–1900) and then as Vice President of the United States under President William McKinley.
Following McKinley’s assassination in 1901, Roosevelt became the 26th President at age 42 – the youngest person ever to assume the office. He was elected to a full term in 1904. His presidency is remembered for progressive policies on conservation, corporate regulation, and fairness in public life, as well as for expanding the U.S. Navy and asserting American influence abroad. He is widely regarded as one of the nation’s greatest presidents.
Roosevelt died in his sleep on January 6, 1919.
U.S. Mint Presidential Medal Programs
Presidential medals, produced by the U.S. Mint, have a longstanding history tracing back to the inception of the nation, often bestowed as "Peace Medals" upon Native Americans. Modern silver versions have since been released with the following associated sales:
- George Washington – 36,391
- John Adams – 24,080
- Thomas Jefferson – 24,888
- James Madison – 17,283
- James Monroe – 15,607
- John Quincy Adams – 15,126
- Andrew Jackson – 17,034
- Martin Van Buren – 14,050
- William Henry Harrison – 13,928
- John Tyler – 13,948
- James K. Polk – 13,569
- Zachary Taylor – 13,319
- Millard Fillmore – 12,913
- Franklin Pierce – 12,815
- James Buchanan – 12,610
- Abraham Lincoln – 20,207
- Andrew Johnson – 12,817
- Ulysses S. Grant – 14,013
- Rutherford B. Hayes – 11,918
- James A. Garfield – 11,754
- Chester A. Arthur – 11,099
- Grover Cleveland – 11,458
- Benjamin Harrison – 10,054
- William McKinley – 9,804
The Benjamin Harrison medal launched earlier this year on February 10, followed by the William McKinley medal on May 12. Still to come in the series this year is a medal honoring William H. Taft.
Medal Designs and Specifications
The obverse (heads side) of the medal features a left-facing portrait of President Theodore Roosevelt. The portrait was created by Charles E. Barber, the sixth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, with his name inscribed in small capitals in the right field above Roosevelt’s left shoulder. The inscription "THEODORE" appears to the left of the portrait, with "ROOSEVELT" to the right.
The reverse (tails side) was designed by George T. Morgan, who succeeded Barber as the seventh Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. It depicts Columbia with her right hand resting on a column bearing a cinerary urn and symbols of United States authority, with the U.S. Capitol in the background. Inscriptions read "INAUGURATED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SEP. 14. 1901" and "SECOND TERM MARCH 4. 1905." Morgan’s last name appears in the lower right.
Each medal has a matte finish, similar in appearance to uncirculated coins. Additional specifications include:
| Denomination: | N/A |
|---|---|
| Finish: | Matte |
| Composition: | 99.9% Silver |
| Weight: | 1.000 troy oz. |
| Diameter: | 1.598 in. |
| Edge: | Plain |
| Mint and Mint Mark: | N/A |
| Privy Mark: | None |
Ordering and Price
The U.S. Mint’s catalog for silver medals lists the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Silver Medal for $90, alongside other available releases in the series. No mintage or household order limits apply. Bronze duplicates of the Theodore Roosevelt medal are also offered by the U.S. Mint, priced at $20 for the smaller 1 5/16-inch version and $160 for the larger 3-inch version.
