1786 Benjamin Franklin Born Boston Medal. Original Dies. Betts-620, Greenslet GM-34, Adams-Bentley 14. Bronze. About Uncirculated, Damaged.
45.7 mm. Attractive medium brown with unusually textured fields, perhaps from being heated and flattened. Boldly double struck, crisply detailed and offering nice eye appeal. The edge has been filed to square and lacks patina. The die state is early enough that we can confidently say this is a pre-1842 plain edge original even with the edge being altered. Accompanied by a two-piece threaded brass frame, with mount and loop for wall hanging at top, likely early 19th century. Such medal frames were a popular way to display medals like this, notably employed by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello.

Estimate: $500