1786 Benj. Franklin Natus Boston Medal. Original Dies. By Augustin Dupre. Adams-Bentley 14, Betts-620, Greenslet GM-33. Bronze. Plain Edge. AU Details--Rim Damage (PCGS).
46 mm. Well detailed with dominant toning in rich golden-copper, this is a rather handsome example of a perennially popular Franklin type. Blushes of olive-brown and rose-gray are more extensive on the reverse. The obverse has been cleaned and also shows wispy scratches in the field areas before and after Franklin's portrait, but evidence for the PCGS qualifier is hidden buy the holder. The exact circumstances that led up to Augustin Dupre creating a medal to honor Benjamin Franklin are unclear. There is little paper trail emanating from either of these gentleman, artist or subject, to indicate that a special anniversary or incident was being celebrated. Rather, this seems to be what has long been termed a "personal medal," that is, a medal to honor a figure whose character was admired by the artist who created it.

Estimate: $350