(1784) Bronze Medal Betts-619, Matte Restrike Franklin Winged Genius

Coin Details

Auction Record

$660 MS65 03-29-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

Betts-619 in bronze with matte finish is a restrike of the Franklin "Winged Genius" medal from 1784, featuring a distinctive matte surface treatment. The Winged Genius medal celebrates Benjamin Franklin with allegorical imagery -- a winged figure representing genius, science, or liberty accompanying Franklin's famous portrait. The matte finish, achieved through chemical treatment of the bronze surface, gives the medal a soft, non-reflective appearance distinct from the polished or natural patina of standard bronze strikings. Matte finishes were sometimes applied to restrikes to differentiate them from originals or to achieve a specific aesthetic effect. The Franklin Winged Genius design was one of the most popular medal subjects of the late eighteenth century, and restrikes were produced periodically at the Paris Mint to meet collector demand. This matte bronze version adds a distinctive surface variant to the many compositions in which the Winged Genius design has been struck.

Rarity Notes

Bronze matte restrike of the Franklin Winged Genius medal. Distinctive surface treatment. Scarce variant.

Cross References

Betts-619; PCGS #890495