Early American and Betts Medals

"1786" Franklin Natus Boston Medal. Original Dies. Paris Mint Restrike. By Augustin Dupre. Betts-620, Greenslet GM-34. Bronze. Edge: CUIVRE (Bee). MS-63 RB (NGC).

46 mm. The Franklin Natus Boston obverse was first mated with a winged Genius reverse (Betts-619), which failed early and was replaced with the reverse seen here. Though little known when first produced as a personal medal by Dupre, the medal became increasingly popular after Franklin's death, going through a series of restrikings from the original dies at the Paris mint. The edge marking on this piece indicates manufacture between 1860 and 1879.

Estimate: $ 300