Featured Comitia Americana, the last installment, Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin

American Ambassador to France

The Franklin medal was Augustin Dupré’s personal tribute to his American friend, Benjamin Franklin. The piece honored Franklin’s contributions to science and his support of freedom against monarchal tyranny during the Revolutionary War. An example of the Franklin medal was included in the set of medals that Thomas Jefferson brought to America in 1790.

There are two versions of the Franklin medal. The 1784 medal features a bust of Franklin on the obverse surrounded by the legend, “BENJ. FRANKLIN BOSTON, XVII JAN. MDCCVI.” The translation is “Benjamin Franklin born in Boston January 12, 1706.” The reverse featured a winged genius, symbol of Franklin. The genius as a lighting bolt in his right hand. His left hand points to a crown and scepter dashed to the ground. There is a temple is in the background with a lighting rod on its roof. Franklin was famous in Europe because of his experiments with electricity, and the lighting rod was one of his many inventions. These devices are surrounded by a slogan in Latin which when translated to English reads “He snatched the lighting from the heavens and scepter from tyrants.”

The 1786 medal features the same bust of Franklin, but a new reverse. This one features the same Latin phrase, this time surrounded by an oak wreath. Dupré also created this reverse, which is artistically inferior to his earlier work. Apparently the 1786 medal had an official status and has a much higher mintage. It was included in the set that Thomas Jefferson brought to America which is now in the Massachusetts Historical Society Collection.

Here is the reverse of 1786 medal. This was the "official" variety. It was restuck most often in subsequent years. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions.

 

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Well, you certainly saved a good one for last. If I could invite 4 dinner guests from anyone who ever lived on planet Earth, Ben would be at the top of the list!

 

Would that include all of his French girlfriends?

Chris

 

I have the Paris Mint restrike which is 47mm. Is the original medal the same size?

Chris

 

He probably had a lot more than four ... at least on the planet earth. Ben's son, who became the British governor of New Jersey, was born out of wedlock. In keeping with the family tradition, Ben's son also had a son, Franklin's grandson, who was born without benefit of marriage. The Franklin men were obviously quite attractive to the ladies.

 

The restrikes were the made from the original dies, so within 19th century limits, the answer is yes. The piece I pictured above has the "pointing hand" on the edge, which indicates that it was struck between 1845 and 1860.

 

Thanks!

Chris

 

Alas, that would have to be another party, due to the other 3 guests involved.