I have 2 Ben Franklin Medals!

"Numismatics (Latin: numisma, nomisma, "coin"; from the Greek: νομίζειν nomízein, "to use according to law") is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, and related objects.

Subfields
Exonumia is the study of coin-like objects such as token coins and medals, and other items used in place of legal currency or for commemoration. This includes elongated coins, encased coins, souvenir medallions, tags, badges, counterstamped coins, wooden nickels, credit cards, and other similar items. It is related to numismatics proper (concerned with coins which have been legal tender), and many coin collectors are also exonumists."

Apparently they do have value to some numismatists/collectors or there would not be a market for them.

 

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I agree completely Farstaff, Numismatist47 has been badgering me since the beginning of the thread, in turn I was a bit harsh, but subtlety and tact were not an option with him

 

I'm confused?

As far as I know everything I have written thus far in this thread has been intelligent and furthermore I called you no name, I asked you a question. At the time, I asked you if you are ignorant, it was based on your complete lack of comprehending that one, I had already written that there was nothing else I wished to have explained to me by you and two that you clearly have no understanding of what a Fact is, since you went on to state two obvious Opinions of yours as Facts (which they weren't facts at all), By definition these acts would seem rather ignorant wouldn't you agree?

 

dctjr80
Personally, I would just let his comments be posted and not respond any further.

it is mho that it is better for this forum that conflicts of this nature be stopped and for everyone to simply agree to disagree, without striking out at each other.

 

and for 99 cents you can buy one on ebay ...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Benjamin-Frankl...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5acd44ee

 

Hey!?!

I have to admit that is pretty funny:hail:

 

Yes, I paid $5 for this one and I sold it as an error token on ebay for close to $30. I have another one somewhere but it's getting late.

 

I have two ref. books on Franklin exonumia. One is Franklin and Numismatics (1982) by Sanford J. Durst. Your items were not listed in this book, so I can only assume that the author did not include these items within the scope of his book. The other book is The Medals of Franklin - A Catalog of Medals, Tokens, Medallions, and Plaques Issued in Honor of Franklin (1993) by Phil W. Greenslet.

Greenslet lists a range of diameters, but I am going to proceed on the assumption that your items are about the size of a one cent piece, such as like what is in my collection. If I am incorrect in making this assumption, please let me know what the diameters are so that I can provide the correct information. Valuations were not given, and would have been outdated even they had.

There are three listings for these in the 19-20mm range:

GM-100 - obv. - SOUVENIR BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MEMORIAL (around Franklin facing left); AUG. C. FRANK. 1706-1790 (below bust)
rev. - (building) THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE
brass, 19mm, R-4 (76-149 known) (Fuld FR.M.FR.14)
The lettering positions and metal do not seem to match, but I wanted to list it just as reference. There were no photos with this listing.

GM-101 - obv. - (star) BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (star) (around Franklin facing left; below, AUG. C. FRANK). 1706-1790 (below bust)
rev. - (building) THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE (below); SOUVENIR - BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MEMORIAL (around)
aluminum, 19mm, R-1 (common)
copper, 19mm, R-4 (76-149 known) (Fuld FR.M.FR.15)
These photos match the variety with the round bust between the 7 and 0.

GM-102 - obv. - (similar to GM-101; bust of Franklin smaller; lettering AUG. C. FRANK removed)
rev. - similar to GM-101; Franklin Mint logo entered under the Franklin Institute building)
aluminum, 20mm, R-1 (common)
Dies for the Franklin Institute stamping press were recut at the Franklin Mint in the 1970s.

GM-102 photos show similarities to your second set of photos, but there are also considerable differences. GM-102 has the sharper pointed base of the bust, opposite the "0" as on your item, but the point of the bust in the book is not close to touching the "0". Yours does not have the lettering removed, nor does it show the Franklin Mint logo, The size and spacial relationship of your Franklin to the lettering though, is very close to the reference photos, such that I think the dies used to make your 2nd item may be the ones mentioned as the dies that were reworked in the 1970s.

I hope this was of some help.

 

Ok you two - cool down.
Anytime you post a thread here on CT you are going to have users post their thoughts, ideas, facts, and just plan ol' questions. This thread was posted in the "Whats It Worth" forum and therefor would normally be looked at as a thread that is looking for info. When people post info that you dont' want, just say thanks and move on.

Speedy