1784 (1845-1860) Franklin Winged Genius Medal. Paris Mint Restrike. Bronze. 46 mm. Greenslet GM-35, Betts-619. Edge: (pointing hand) CUIVRE. MS-63 BN (NGC). Lustrous satin surfaces are bathed in rich medium brown patina. This is the original obverse die, now showing extensive rust pitting (as made) in the field around the portrait. The reverse die is a copy of the original, the letter forms different, as are their placements. The U in FULMEN is punched with its thicker side to the right, and the L of the date is lined up beneath the U in DUPRE, whereas the original version shows the U in FULMEN rendered correctly (with the thicker side to the left) and the exergue shows the L of MDCCLXXXIV lined up directly beneath the P in DUPRE. The edge markings indicate a date range of 1845 to 1860 for the striking of this piece. From the Richard Hoover Collection.
