(Medals & Medallions) | Two numismatic depictions of Benjamin Franklin, a scarce bronze medal and handsome terra-cotta medallion

(Medals & Medallions)

Jean-Baptiste Nini. B. Franklin-Americain - 1777. [Onzain, France,] 1777 [With] Augustin Dupré. Benj. Franklin natus Boston xvii Jan. Mdccvi. [n.p. but Paris, 1786 (but probably later)] 

Together one medallion and one medal: Terra-cotta bas-relief medallion (114 mm diameter) by Nini after a drawing by Walpole. Bust of Franklin left wearing a fur cap, on truncation crowned cartouche flanked by palm fronds, hand guiding a kite, to the left incised NINI F 1777, all within integral molded frame; integral tube for suspension on reverse as made, a few minor chips and some soiling. [With] Medal, silvered bronze (46 mm diameter) dies by Augustin Dupré. BENJ. FRANKLIN NATUS BOSTON. XVII JAN. MDCCIV, bare bust of Franklin left, reverse ERIPUIT COELO / FULMEN / SCEPTRUM QUE TYRANNIS in four lines within oak lead; below in exergual area SCULPSIT ET DICAVIT / AUG. DUPRÉ ANNO MDCCLXXXVI; a Paris Mint re-strike, "bronze" stamped on edge, better than extremely fine. Both housed in a custom clamshell box with molded cloth encasement. 

Benjamin Franklin in France. It was the most significant diplomatic mission of his life — convince the King Louis of France to support America in its bid for Independence. After a months stay, he wrote to his friend Emma Thompson: "Figure me in your mind as jolly as formerly and as strong and hearty only a few years older; very plainly dressed, wearing my thin gray straight hair that peeps out under my only coiffure, a fine fur cap which comes down to my forehead almost to my spectacles. Think how this must appear among the powdered heads of Paris." A few days earlier, in correspondence from Jonathan Williams Jr., Franklin learns that: "So much is your name respected that I hear the Ladies of Nantes are about making an addition to their head in imitation of your Hair Cap, which they intend to call a la Franklin." 

He was the most admired eighteenth-century American living in France, and Nini captured his spirit and his look in this portrait. The production and distribution of these wonderful plaques served a political purpose and supported his mission, "to promote France's investment in America." (Intellectual World). 

The second piece, a handsome medal, is an interesting and scarce issue in honor of Franklin from his artist friend Augustin Dupré. The Latin inscription translates as, "He has torn the lightning from the sky and the scepter from tyrants." A copy of this medal in silver was found among those of the Comitia Americana presented to Washington in 1790. 

PROVENANCE

Laird U. Park, Jr. (his sale, Sotheby's New York, 29 November 2000, lots 231 & 232) 

REFERENCE

Nini: Betts 548; Intellectual World of Benjamin Franklin, 166; The Papers of Benjamin Franklin. Vol. 23: 232, 296-98. Dupré: Betts 620; Stahl COAC Proceedings 11: 109 or 110