1777 B. Franklin Américain Portrait Plaque by Nini. Greenslet GM-5, Margolis-11, Betts-548 (traditional). Terracotta. About Uncirculated. 122 mm. A beautiful example of this popular decorative medallion, perhaps the quintessential image of Franklin from his time in France. The present piece shows definitive sharpness and excellent light brick-red tone. A couple of minor rim chips on the edge, barely visible from the facing side, are noted at 5 and 11 oclock. No cracks or other damage, suspension hole as made. The tiny fleur-de-lis stamp of this Margolis number is readily evident on the back above 9 oclock. A lovely Franklin portrait from the era of the American Revolution, and a very rare variety given Margolis (2015) comment, "A combined total of just nine specimens of TYPES 10 and 11 have been located."While Betts-548 is traditionally used to refer to this piece, the actual Betts listing describes a bronze aftercast or something similar. The terracotta originals are described in a footnote on page 257, just below the Betts-548 listing.
