101812 | UNITED STATES, GERMANY & FRANCE. Benjamin Franklin bronze Medal.

101812  |  UNITED STATES, GERMANY & FRANCE. Benjamin Franklin bronze Medal. Dated 1818 (but issued circa 1826-1844). Series Numismatica Universalis Virorum Illustrium (41mm, 39.00 g, 12h). By Godel & Durand in München.

 

BENJAMINUS FRANKLIN, bust left / NATUS / BOSTONIÆ / IN AMERICA / FOEDERATA / AN M DCCC VI / OBIIT / AN M DCC XC in seven lines. Edge: MONACHII.

 

Mint State. Chocolate brown surfaces, with a few deposits and scattered light spotting.

 

This piece is from the "Virorum Illustrium" (famous men) series, which presented numerous contemporary and historical male figures in medallic form, along with a brief biography on each reverse. One of the more influential founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin was seemingly equal parts statesman, scientist, and inventor, leaving a mark on nearly all walks of his rather important and lengthy life.

 

Many of Durand's earlier issues were struck at the Paris mint, though their policy of maintaining a monopoly over the striking of medals in France caused him to look elsewhere. In order to retain creative and commercial control, he had the mint in München strike some issues between 1826-1844, with the edges of these issues reading "MONACHII" (of München).

 

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