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Benjamin Franklin Bicentennial Medal
Designed and engraved by: Louis St. Gaudens (1854–1913)
With: Augustus Saint-Gaudens (American (born in Ireland), 1848–1907)
Cast by: Tiffany & Co. (American, active 1837–present)
With: Augustus Saint-Gaudens (American (born in Ireland), 1848–1907)
Cast by: Tiffany & Co. (American, active 1837–present)
1906
Object Place: New York, New York
Medium/Technique
Bronze
Dimensions
Legacy dimension: D: 100 mm.
Credit Line
Gift of Emily Townsend and Cornelius C. Vermeule, III
Accession Number1989.843a-b
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsNumismatics – Medals
DescriptionCast bronze medal with a leather pouch.
Obverse: Left profile, relief portrait-bust of Benjamin Franklin commemorating 200th anniversary of Franklin's birth, with raised dates of Franklin's life: 1706-1790 and inscription: .PRINTER . PHILOSOPHER . SCIENTIST . STATESMAN . DIPLOMATIST. Reverse: Seated figure of History inscribing on an oval, alongside her symbolic torch; standing at her feet are the figures of Literature, Science and Philosophy, each holding their respective symbols. Inscribed at top: . STRUCK . BY . ACT OF . THE . CONGRESS . OF . THE . UNITED . STATES . At bottom: . TO . COMMEMORATE . THE . TWOHVNDRETH . ANNIVERSARY . OF . THE . BIRTH . OF . BENJAMIN . FRANKLIN . M.C.M.V.I.
Obverse: Left profile, relief portrait-bust of Benjamin Franklin commemorating 200th anniversary of Franklin's birth, with raised dates of Franklin's life: 1706-1790 and inscription: .PRINTER . PHILOSOPHER . SCIENTIST . STATESMAN . DIPLOMATIST. Reverse: Seated figure of History inscribing on an oval, alongside her symbolic torch; standing at her feet are the figures of Literature, Science and Philosophy, each holding their respective symbols. Inscribed at top: . STRUCK . BY . ACT OF . THE . CONGRESS . OF . THE . UNITED . STATES . At bottom: . TO . COMMEMORATE . THE . TWOHVNDRETH . ANNIVERSARY . OF . THE . BIRTH . OF . BENJAMIN . FRANKLIN . M.C.M.V.I.
ProvenanceAt Christie's, New York, Sale 6652, September 20, 1988, lot no. 369 and purchased by Cornelius C. Vermeule III. To the MFA, December 1989, gift of Emily Townshend and Cornelius Vermeule III.