1784 (ca. 1790-1842) Franklin Winged Genius Medal. Betts-619. Copper, 46.1 mm. Original obverse, copy reverse. SP-63 BN (PCGS).

634.1 grains. Plain edge. An important and scarce issue from the Paris Mint, an early striking of Dupre's laudatory medal for his friend Benjamin Franklin. The original Dupre reverse die failed early (before 1786, when the Betts-620 was introduced), leaving examples struck from the original reverse as a major rarity in the Betts series. Those struck from this die marriage in the plain edge era (before 1842) are not common either; this is a particularly nice example. The obverse is chocolate brown with glossy luster, while the reverse is more reflective, showcasing pastel violet and blue over light golden brown surfaces. Only trivial marks are seen, and the visual appeal is excellent. This medal's reverse legend comes from Turgot's famous quote about Franklin, who snatched lightning from the heavens and the scepter from tyrants. Dupre took his design inspiration from this quote as well, and both lightning and a broken scepter make cameo appearances amidst the reverse designs.

PCGS# 529210.

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From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Anthony Terranova; Lawrence R. Stack Collection, November 2006.