"1776" (post-1807) Franklin American Beaver Medal. By John Reich. Betts-546, Julian CM-8, Greenslet GM-80. Bronzed Copper. MS-67 BN (NGC).
41 mm. A superb example of one of the most popular early U.S. Mint medals, depicting the beloved Dr. Franklin on the obverse with a Continental Currency-inspired beaver and the date 1776 on the reverse. Nicely bronzed with minimal mottling to rich mahogany-brown color. Very sharp and free of significant flaws. Listed in Betts by virtue of its 1776 date, these dies are actually from about 1807. The Philadelphia Mint continued to produce examples from the original dies through most of the 19th century, but few survived in this kind of grade. The absence of a reverse rim break below 9 o'clock places this as a slightly earlier strike than many.
Sold by the Yale University Art Gallery for the benefit of acquisition funds of the Numismatic Collection.

Estimate: $3000