The Franklin Mint ! NEWP, and what do you have.
DNADave
Posts: 7,265 ✭✭✭✭✭
It appears that the Franklin Mint used to have a pretty good name. They had a magazine and made coins for quite a few countries. Now it seems they don't have much of a reputation.
Anyhow, I found this at an estate sale today, in the original box. I think it looks real nice.
Do you have anything from the Franklin Mint?
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Gilroy Roberts? (Yup!)
https://www.usacoinbook.com/encyclopedia/coin-designers/gilroy-roberts/
Yes
FM is a fantastic thing to collect. I favor the coins because I like coins, but the art medals, ingots and souvenir issues are still a cool way to stash some silver away. Somebidy needs to write the standard FM reference catalog!
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
I have that medal in bronze antiqued finish - bought new from the FM. I have some British Virgin Island proof sets from the early 70s.
Make no mistake - the FM of that era could, in my opinion, mint coins and medals at or above the standards of any mint in the world. In regard to that particular medal, they made those enormous, high relief medals not only in antiqued finish (which is more forgiving) but also in frosted proof like yours.
I am pretty sure the FM of today is the surviving shell (basically name only) of the older incarnation. Whatever the corporate arrangement, they moved out of medals and coins and focused on high quality collectables made elsewhere to their specifications.
And, yes, the Franklin Mint Collectors Society had a magazine, and I think membership was free or at least very inexpensive. Each year you got a membership card encased with a small silver medal, and another time during the year you got a gift of some kind, Two that I have are a large pewter key and a pewter sealing wax stamp showing Ben Franklin.
BTW - I just picked up the '73 Nixon Inauguration medal in roof silver. I paid $99 for it, assuming that was close to melt, but with silver so low I did pay a bit more than melt. I think it is over 5 ounces of sterling silver.
I also picked up an antiqued bronze one for $5 shipped. I have several. They are such a huge chunk of finely minted bronze that I just can't help myself when they are cheap enough.
There is a lot of Gilroy Roberts' items out there. He had an amazing talent. Here is one of his sculptures you won't find in the coin section. This thing is huge (and a little pricey). Not my auction, do not know the dealer but if you check recent similar ebay sales, you'll see the one I bought.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BJstamps-Franklin-Mint-Gilroy-Roberts-massive-silver-sculpture-HORSES-COA-69/361784913034?hash=item543c0fac8a:g:aLMAAOSwImRYC9pd
I wish I had "stepped up" and kept my competitor from getting the Sterling antique car that came in the shop.
But...noooo... I refused to pay way over spot for a TOY
I have a few sets of the miniature US coins. Amazing detail considering they are only about 1/3" in diameter.