Ronald W. Reagan 40th American President 1984 Commemorative Medal

This is a silver-toned commemorative medal or token featuring a three-quarter portrait of Ronald W. Reagan, the 40th President of the United States. The obverse side displays the raised text 'RONALD W. REAGAN' and '40TH AMERICAN PRESIDENT' encircling the portrait, with the date '1984' and the initials 'LL' (likely the designer's mark) positioned to the left and right of the bust. The medal appears to be approximately 38mm to 40mm in diameter, consistent with standard silver dollar or large-round commemorative sizes. It is likely composed of a base metal like cupro-nickel or silver-plated bronze, though silver content cannot be confirmed without testing. The edge is reeded, and the piece shows a matte or satin finish on the fields with more polished highlights on the relief. Condition-wise, it is housed in a clear soft plastic 'flip' or sleeve. The surfaces show minor handling marks and a faint yellowish-brown patina or tarnish beginning to form on the lower and right edges near the rim, suggesting some environmental exposure over the decades since its 1984 minting. The craftsmanship is of standard commercial quality, often distributed through private mints for political or historical collections rather than official US Mint currency.

Based on my examination of this 1984 Ronald W. Reagan commemorative medal, I have determined it to be a mass-produced private mint souvenir typical of 1980s political memorabilia. The 'LL' mark identifies the artistry, but the lack of official US Mint hallmarks or '999 Fine Silver' stamps strongly suggests a base-metal composition, likely cupro-nickel or silver-plated bronze. The condition is 'About Uncirculated,' showing light handling marks and edge oxidation typical of long-term storage in a non-PVC-free soft plastic flip. Market demand for 1984 inauguration and re-election medals is stable but saturated; there are thousands of these in circulation, limiting rarity and premium. Similar examples frequently sell at flea markets and online auctions within the $5 to $15 range. Factors limiting the value include the environmental tarnish and the fact that it is not an official US Mint issue. Note that this appraisal is based solely on digital images. Without physical inspection, I cannot confirm the exact metal composition or weight. To increase valuation or verify authenticity, a jeweler’s nitric acid test or an XRF (X-ray fluorescence) scan would be required to determine if there is any actual silver content. Documentation of provenance from the original private minting company would also assist in establishing a more firm secondary market position.