The 1777 French terra cotta medallion of Franklin was 4.5" (115 mm) in diameter and was produced by the sculptor Jean-Baptiste Nini (1717-1786). In addition to a high-relief profile likeness of Franklin wearing his distinctive fur hat, it bore the words * B. Franklin * * Americain * . The reverse was flat, with a hole near the top edge so that it could be hung on a wall by a small nail.
Nimi produced a few variations of them, intended for sale in France and the US. Depending on condition, the medallion is currently worth as much as $5,750. A shipment was sent to the US in 1779 but the ship was wrecked off the coast of France. A few cases of medallions were recovered but were left in a warehouse and forgotten for nearly a century. In 1876 they were sold in the US to commemorate the centennial of the country.
Nimi produced a few variations of them, intended for sale in France and the US. Depending on condition, the medallion is currently worth as much as $5,750. A shipment was sent to the US in 1779 but the ship was wrecked off the coast of France. A few cases of medallions were recovered but were left in a warehouse and forgotten for nearly a century. In 1876 they were sold in the US to commemorate the centennial of the country.