Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 1 Dollar 2006, KM# 388, United States of America (USA), 300th Anniversary of Birth of Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father
  • 1 Dollar 2006, KM# 388, United States of America (USA), 300th Anniversary of Birth of Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father
  • 1 Dollar 2006, KM# 388, United States of America (USA), 300th Anniversary of Birth of Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father, Classic Continental
Description

The 2006 Benjamin Franklin Silver Dollar (was issued for the 300th anniversary of the birth of this important figure in American history. Different silver dollar designs were released featuring Benjamin Franklin in his younger years as a scientist and his older years as a statesman and Founding Father.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A renowned polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity, first as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies.

His colorful life and legacy of scientific and political achievement, and status as one of America's most influential Founding Fathers, have seen Franklin honored on coinage and the $100 bill; warships; the names of many towns; counties; educational institutions; corporations; and, more than two centuries after his death, countless cultural references.

Obverse

Depicts a head and shoulders portrait of an older Franklin with his signature reproduced below. He had been the only person to sign all four major documents instrumental to founding the United States - the Constitution, the Treaty of Paris, the Treaty of Alliance, and Amity and Commerce. Inscriptions read “Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary”,”1706 – 2006″, and “In God We Trust”.

Design: Don Everhart

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TERCENTENARY ★
1706
-
2006
IN GOD
WE TRUST
LIBERTY
P
B Franklin
DE

Reverse

Depicts a 1776 Continental Dollar with modern lettering around the rim reading “United States of America”, “E Pluribus Unum”, and “One Dollar”.

The Continental Currency dollar coin (also known as Continental dollar coin, Fugio dollar, or Franklin dollar) was the first pattern coin struck for the United States. The coins were minted in 1776 and examples were made on pewter, brass, and silver planchets.

Benjamin Franklin designed both sides of the coin. The obverse features the Sun shining sunlight on a sundial, the Latin motto "Fugio" (I flee/fly), and "Mind your business", a rebus meaning "time flies, so mind your business"

Design: Donna Weaver

★ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ★ E PLURIBUS UNUM ★ ONE DOLLAR
CONTINENTAL CURRENCY
FUGIO
MIND YOUR
BUSINESS
EG FECIT
1776
DW

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.900
Weight 26.73 g
Diameter 38.1 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Philadelphia Mint (P)

Related coins

Scientist

300th Anniversary of Birth of Benjamin Franklin

Silver, 26.73 g, ⌀ 38.1 mm