A Continuing Thread ~ Post Your Tokens, Medals, Exonumia Acquisitions

@TNG: Great new additions! As jbuck, I always enjoy the accompanying historical info presented. Thanks!

Quite a trip for the Sesqui/Betsy Ross medal! At least it arrived safely after its long journey!

Here's one you don't see every day...

It's a Congressionally-authorized medal marking the 200th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth. It was was originally authorized in 1904 as a single gold presentation medal (to be given to the Republic of France on behalf of the US President) along with 150 bronze duplicates that were to be split (100/50) between the US Government and the American Philosophical Society (APS) in Philadelphia, respectively; Franklin founded the APS in 1743.

In 1906, Congress passed a bill authorizing a run of 200 additional bronze medals for the APS. Tiffany & Co. struck the first batch (one gold + 150 bronze), the US Mint handled the new batch of 200. The Tiffany-struck medals have "TIFFANY & CO." on their edge.

It's a fairly large bronze medal at 101 mm in diameter; it was designed/engraved by brothers Augustus and Louis Saint-Gaudens, with Louis doing much of the work due to the failing health of Augustus.

The APS has used the medal since 1906 as an award medal to recognize significant contributions to the APS, as well as for distinguished achievements in science, the humanities and/or service.

You can learn more about how the medal is awarded and some of its recipients over the years here:
American Philosophical Society - Franklin Medal

Here's the US Mint variety medal I have in my collection - it's definitely a favorite if mine!

Great Eastern Steamship Token 1860





SS Great Eastern was an iron sailing steamship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and built by J. Scott Russell & Co. at Millwall Iron Works on the River Thames, London. She was by far the largest ship ever built at the time of her 1858 launch, and had the capacity to carry 4,000 passengers from England to Australia without refuelling. Her length of 692 feet (211 m) was only surpassed in 1899 by the 705-foot (215 m) 17,274-gross-ton RMS Oceanic, her gross tonnage of 18,915 was only surpassed in 1901 by the 701-foot (214 m) 21,035-gross-ton RMS Celtic, and her 4,000-passenger capacity was surpassed in 1913 by the 4,935-passenger SS Imperator. The ship's five funnels were rare and were later reduced to four. It also had the largest set of paddle wheels.

Very nice!

@dar76124: Cool medal - thanks for sharing i!

I think it's quite interesting to learn how it appears the SS Great Eastern medal could be purchased on board the ship as (apparently) a souvenir of a voyage. I didn't realize such promotional pieces were being offered in 1860.

Very nice!

I had not seen or haven't noticed this 100th Canada dollar medallion elsewhere before this post.

At first I thought . . . well, that's a very nice looking dollar coin.
On a second closer look the transition of the maple leaf to loon became obvious to me.
That is a thoughtful creative design and very artistic.

I agree! It is one of my favorite designs among the many that have been issued since 1971 as part of Canada's commemorative silver dollar series.