The medal's obverse bears portrait bust of Garfield facing left. Around, JAMES A. - GARFIELD; signed under truncation, C. BARBER F.

The reverse bears a laurel wreath in centerfield. Around, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; in wreath, INAUGURATED / MARCH 4. / 1881.

James A. Garfield was only president for 199 days. This lovely design was used until Garfield's Assassination in July of 1881. He was shot on July 2 by a disgruntled lawyer  while waiting at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington D.C.  It took Garfield till September 19th to die from an infection he probably contracted from his doctor's ministrations. His death made a new reverse design necessary which bore his death date.

As a consequence of his short time in office and the redesign of the reverse, only 89 medals with the original design were struck, so this is a pretty rare presidential inauguration medal. The medal is often referred to as Julian PR-20.

The circular medal measures 77mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the U.S. Mint.  The mintage is reported as 89 pieces.