Benjamin Franklin "Scientist" Silver Dollar

The United States honored the tercentenary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin, one of this Nation’s original scientists, thinkers and founding fathers, with two commemorative silver dollars from the United States Mint. The Benjamin Franklin Commemorative Coin Program comprised two silver dollars – “Scientist” and “Founding Father” – which were available in both proof and uncirculated conditions. Each coin was limited to a maximum mintage of 250,000 across all product options and was issued only during the one-year period beginning January 1, 2006.

The first coin, "Scientist," features on its obverse an image of a younger Franklin and recalls the groundbreaking success of his experiments into the nature of electricity in June of 1752. The reverse design reproduces Franklin's famous political cartoon, featuring a severed snake, and is meant to convey Franklin's belief that colonial unity was truly a matter of life and death, titled "Join, or Die."

• LIBERTY
• 1706-2006
• IN GOD WE TRUST
• BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
• SCIENTIST

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• E PLURIBUS UNUM
• JOIN OR DIE
• ONE DOLLAR

• Philadelphia