Franklin Mint Michelangelo 'La Pietà' Vermeil Sterling Silver Commemorative Medal
Commemorative Medal (Coin/Numismatic Object) · The Franklin Mint, founded in 1964 by Joseph Segel. Once one of the world's largest private mints, it gained a reputation for high-quality commemorative collectibles and art medals.
Pattern: Michelangelo’s Masterpieces / Renaissance Series; part of a large multi-medal collection produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Type
Commemorative Medal (Coin/Numismatic Object)
Maker
The Franklin Mint, founded in 1964 by Joseph Segel. Once one of the world's largest private mints, it gained a reputation for high-quality commemorative collectibles and art medals.
Material
Vermeil (Sterling Silver .925 base with 24k gold plating). Most medals in this series contain approximately 0.8 to 1.1 troy ounces of sterling silver.
Dimensions
38mm to 45mm in diameter; generally weighs between 25 and 32 grams (approx. 0.8-1.0 troy oz) of silver content.
Description
A lustrous vermeil medal featuring a detailed high-relief rendering of Michelangelo's 'La Pietà'. The medal combines the intrinsic value of sterling silver with the aesthetic appeal of gold plating, designed to honor historical artistic achievement.
Key Features
Depicts Mary holding Jesus (The Pietà) with the inscription 'MICHELANGELO' and 'LA PIETÀ'. Reeded or smooth edge containing fineness hallmarks.
Material & Composition
Vermeil (Sterling Silver .925 base with 24k gold plating). Most medals in this series contain approximately 0.8 to 1.1 troy ounces of sterling silver.
Finish & Decoration
High-relief sculptural strike with a proof or specimen finish. The obverse depicts Michelangelo's Pietà. The surface is gold-plated (vermeil) to provide a rich, untarnishable luster.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Usually stamped on the rim (edge) with 'STERLING', the Franklin Mint hallmark (an 'f' and 'm' monogram), and sometimes a serial number or date.
Construction Details
Machine die-struck under high pressure to achieve detailed relief. Produced in a high-volume industrial minting facility using precision steel dies.
Functional Features
Purely commemorative and decorative; lacks legal tender status but was designed for display in specialized collector albums.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A - Circular coin-form intended for handheld viewing or cabinet display.
Craftsmanship Details
Highly skilled die-engraving with consistent strike quality. The gold plating is electro-deposited. While mass-produced, the quality control was exceptional for private minting standards.
Authentication Indicators
The presence of the Franklin Mint edge stamps and the characteristic high-detail strike typical of their 1970s output. Weight check recommended to confirm silver core vs cheaper base metal replicas.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States, Wawa, Pennsylvania (Franklin Mint headquarters). Manufactured using industrial minting machinery.
Era & Period
Modern Commemorative Era (c. 1965-1975). Produced during the 'silver boom' of private mint collectibles.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970-1974 based on the peak years for this specific Michelangelo series.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 20th-century trend of 'investment collectibles' where classical art was miniaturized into precious metal forms for the middle-class American collector.
Condition Notes
Very Good to Excellent. Showing some minor surface oxidation (tarnish) where the gold wash is thin, and evidence of handling without gloves (fingerprint oils). No major dents or rim nicks visible.
Value Estimate
$30 - $60 USD, largely dictated by the current spot price of silver plus a small collector premium for the vermeil finish and religious theme.
Care & Maintenance
Gently wipe with a soft microfiber cloth; avoid harsh polishing creams as they will strip the thin gold 'vermeil' layer off the sterling silver base.
Similar Pieces
Medallic Art Co. Renaissance Medals; Tiffany & Co. Michelangelo Medals (rare/higher value); non-vermeil sterling versions of the same series.
Interesting Facts
The Franklin Mint was famous for marketing these through subscription services, often mailed in monthly installments to collectors who stored them in leatherette albums.