Theodore Roosevelt’s Hunting Knife – A Masterpiece of Craftsmanship
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, was an adventurer, conservationist, and military leader whose legacy as a champion of the American frontier remains unmatched. In 1909, as he prepared for his African expedition, Roosevelt received a ceremonial hunting knife from his friend Justice James W. Gerard. This knife, an exquisite symbol of Roosevelt’s legacy, is meticulously recreated in this 2 oz silver collectible.
The original knife, a masterpiece of early 20th-century craftsmanship, featured an eagle’s head handle with red garnet eyes, intricate forest scenes, and the U.S. arms with Roosevelt's initials, all reproduced with gold gilding on this coin. One side of the hilt displays two men of the American Frontier—likely Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett—gathered around a campfire, while the other showcases the stylized eagle from the Great Seal of the United States between two trees, flanked by a wishbone. Below is an Art Nouveau-style intertwining of the initials "TR," where the "T" is shaped like the wings of the eagle and in silver. The handguard is shaped like two outward-facing bear heads. The blade is engraved with the inscription: “Presented to Theodore Roosevelt by His Friend, James W. Gerard”.
Issued by Samoa in 2025, this 2 oz legal tender .999 fine silver coin measures 150 x 28 mm and features an antiqued high-relief finish with selective gold gilding. Limited to 1,909 pieces, commemorating the year Roosevelt received the original knife, this unique collectible is a must-have for history and coin enthusiasts alike.