I have 2 Ben Franklin Medals!

What I know is that the Benjamin Franklin Institute purchased and made medals using the U.S. first steam powered coin press converted to electrical in 1933-34.
What I wish to know is what these are worth, what they are made of, which is older (because the bust is slightly different on the two varieties that I have and have seen, 1 has a round front at the base and 1 has a point.) and anything thing else pertaining to these 2 medals please!

 

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I don't believe there is any value to these as they are marked souvenir. As far as the composition of these, could be a base metal that was bronzed, or small amount of copper on the outer layer.

 

I would definitly disagree!

A souvenir can both be very old and valuable and I am looking for an actual metal composition, not a guess... I am already guessing copper or bronze.

 

I could be wrong, but I think these are the same ones that I see on ebay from time to time. I bought two of these, one I sold because it was off center by almost 50% and the other one I still have. I have no idea how much they're worth but I'd like to find out if there's something I don't know about them. I read that they were made between 1929 to 1933 but that info was from a seller and he didn't specify a source. The first one I bought from a coin store and that was the off center one. Could be that I had sellers remorse and picked up the other one off ebay. good luck in finding out some infomation, you should find something b/c there's a few ppl on this forum with token books. Oh here's one on the bay right now, here's the number. 350277227125 :thumb:

 

Well send it to NGC and pay $75 for them to tell you what metal it is.

As far as value, only to someone who is desperate for it. But I see nothing valueable in these.

 

How long has that been sitting on eBay? I'm guessing quite a while. The seller didn't limit the amount of time the item will be for sale, probabely because they know it's not a "hot" item that buyers will be beating down the door for.

$15? Over priced.

 

I think the metal is bronze but not 100% sure!
Great metal!!!:thumb:

 

I would still be interested if anyone had any actual knowledge to share about these that I haven't already stated in the OP?

 

Those are only as valueable as someone who collects them is willing to pay.

You've received two opinions about metal content, both who think it could be bronze. NGC now charges $75 for you to get an exact metal content on any coin, and they could also do the same with this medal/token.

 

I do not care about your opinion.

I started this thread with the facts I already knew of these medals and have requested for any additional facts that I didn't already know, I know you may find this difficult to comprehend but I didn't ask for your opinion to start with, nor do I care about it at this time, I am only looking for those that have knowledgeable facts pertaining to the medals that I have.

 

The Franklin Institute acquired the coining press in 1927 from Mrs. George B. Soley. It was then reconditioned and motorized. The press moved to the site of the new Science Museum in 1933-34, in order to strike aluminum tokens for visitors. A bust of Benjamin Franklin appeared on the souvenir coin, with the facade of The Franklin Institute on its reverse.
From-http://www.fi.edu/learn/sci-tech/coin-press/coin-press.php?cts=instrumentation

They don't look aluminum though. How much do they weigh?

 

Okay

FACT: There are not worth anything, and certainly not what was posted on eBay.

FACT: I am going to say with 99.999% certainty, that is bronze.

FACT: The only thing you know is possibly about the machine that may or may not have made these medals/tokens, and not much about the medals/tokens at all.

 

One of these sold on proxibid for $5.

 

I really like this souvenir metal. Thanks for posting. Had to grab one on Ebay when I saw your post. I like Ben Franklin stuff like that. Thanks again.

 

Flyer, if you like Franklin medals, then here are two you might want to watch for..........

I got the first one from Talisman Coins, but I don't know if they still have it available.

You would just have to search eBay for the Franklin/Montyon.

Chris

Oops! The top photo is the reverse of the Franklin/Montyon medal at the bottom. I will have to reshoot the photos to the same size.

 

Get the exact size and weight and compare to coins the same size and weight in Krause and save $75.

 

Wow. Those are beautiful. I checked Talisman coins. They have the 1784 Medal for 60 bucks and don't have the Franklin/Montyon medal on the site. Checked Ebay and they are going for around $70. I will put those on my watch list and see if an auction comes up. Thanks Chris. I plan on grabbing at least one of the medals if not both.
Craig

 

You have no clue what a Fact is do you? EDITED Neither of these are Facts, just your opinions. The only worth of your opinions to me is that if you couple your opinions up with 99 cents you can go buy yourself an Arizona Ice Tea in a can. :thumb:

 

Your welcome!

I mostly collect coins, but some medals and tokens catch my attention from time to time.

 

Can't think of something intelligent to reply with so you resort to name calling.

Have fun with your two souvenirs with no numismatic value!