Frankie and the Turkey . . . ??

jimmymac

most of you senior forum members and coin vets probably know this, but if you look at the reverse of the Franklin half you will see a small eagle represented - found out recently that Ben wanted the Turkey to be our National bird, hence the designer of the piece placed a smaller eagle - one wonders if this was done out of respect or done in a malicious way - I hope the former - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

OffCenter

The eagle was originally left off of the coin and after it was approved, they realized that there was law written that required an eagle to be on the reverse ...... so, they added the tiny eagle to make requirement.

ScarsdaleCoin

if you actually read the letters from Ben, you will see that what happened is that they put an eagle on it, however it looked like a turkey, Ben like a turkey over an eagle as he felt it was a more American bird....

and I quote:

I am, on this account, not displeased that the figure is not known as a bald eagle, but looks more like a turkey. For in truth, the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America. Eagles have been found in all countries, but the turkey was peculiar to ours; the first of the species seen in Europe, being brought to France by the Jesuits from Canada, and served up at the wedding table of Charles the Ninth. He is, besides, (though a little vain and silly, it is true, but not the worse emblem for that,) a bird of courage, and would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British guards, who should presume to invade his farmyard with a red coat on.

ricko

Good one Scarsdale... Cheers, RickO

GoldenEyeNumismatics

JK reviewed this topic in his NYINC presentation on Lafayette's Society of the Cincinnati Medal that recently went to auction.

Hopefully he can elaborate on this, but Franklin never directly states he wants the national bird to be the Turkey. He only compares the depiction of the eagle on the Society of the Cincinnati Medal to the likeliness of a Turkey, then goes on to state that he feels the Turkey is generally superior in character.