1777 B. Franklin of Philadelphia Medal. Unidentified (likely English) Medalist. Betts-547, Greenslet GM-40. Bronze. Specimen-55 (PCGS).

45 mm. A handsome specimen of this medal, with only minimal signs of numismatic handling precluding a Mint State assessment. Plenty of bold to sharp detail remains throughout the design, rub perhaps most noticeable at the very tip of Franklin's nose, typical of the type. Deeply and originally toned in olive-copper, an ancient carbon spot in the left obverse field and some wispy handling marks are noted, but hardly unusual at the assigned grade level. Close inspection with a loupe also reveals a touch of granularity indicative of striking atop a cast planchet. The earliest American offering we find of a copper strike from these dies is October 1865, in Ed Cogan's Dr. F.S. Edwards sale, lot 1598. Nearly every 19th century offering makes mention of this medal's rarity. It is no more common today. Adams and Bentley enumerated eight specimens but only casually surveyed known collections; they estimated "this medal in bronze is mid-range R-6," or about 20 specimens known. It may be a touch more common than that, but the greater proportion of survivors are worn, and usually more so than the piece offered here.