The 2006 Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Silver Dollar coin program was the first "dual" program of the United States' ("US") not-intended-for-circulation ("NIFC") modern commemorative coin series. By "dual program" I refer to a program with two coins, same year of issue, same authorizing Act, same size, same composition and same denomination, but with different designs. (The 1903 Louisiana Purchase Exposition Gold Dollars program of the US' classic-era commemorative series is an early example of the same.)
The sales window for the 2006 Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Silver Dollars opened on January 17, 2006 - the 300th anniversary of Franklin's birth date.
As described in Part II of this Franklin Silver Dollar story series, each of the Silver Dollars of the coin program were legislated to feature different designs - namely, "Younger" and "Older" Benjamin Franklin.
"Younger" Benjamin Franklin Scientist Silver Dollar
Obverse Designer/Sculptor: Norman E. Nemeth
Reverse Designer/Sculptor: Charles L. Vickers
US Mint Description:"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."
Final mintage figures for each version of the "Scientist" Silver Dollar:
- Proof: 137,808
- Uncirculated: 111,956 (including 50,000 from "Franklin Coin & Chronicles Set")
"Older" Benjamin Franklin Founding Father Silver Dollar
Obverse Designer/Sculptor:
Don EverhartReverse Designer/Sculptor:
Donna WeaverUS Mint Description:"The second coin in the program, "Founding Father," reflects a more familiar image of Benjamin Franklin, capturing the great patriot and statesman in the autumn of his years. The reverse of the second coin, featuring a 1776 Continental Currency dollar, showcases the contributions made by Franklin to the spirit of early American coinage and currency design."
Final mintage figures for each version of the "Founding Father" Silver Dollar:
- Proof: 184,459 (including 48,452 from the American Legacy Collection)
- Uncirculated: 54,014
Once returned/damaged coins were reconciled, the "Scientist" design was effectively a sell-out, with the "Founding Father" design getting very close to hitting its limit:
Scientist: 249,764 (~99.9%)
Founding Father: 238,473 (~95.4%)
The price of the Proof version of each Silver Dollar was $35 Pre-Issue and $39 Regular Issue. For the Uncirculated versions, the pricing was $33 and $35, respectively. The "Franklin Coin and Chronicles Set" had an issue price of $65, and the American Legacy Collection (available beginning August 15, 2006) was priced at $135.
Note: The 2006 American Legacy Collection includes a proof version of the Benjamin Franklin "Founding Father" Silver Dollar and a proof "San Francisco Old Mint" Silver Dollar. It also includes proof versions of all 2006-dated circulating coins.For my collection, I went with the Uncirculated versions of each Silver Dollar, but I added proof versions via the Philatelic-Numismatic Covers I've posted below.
If you're interested in the "Franklin Coin & Chronicles Set", check out:
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2006 Benjamin Franklin Coin & Chronicles SetIf you missed the story of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission, check it out here:
Part I / The CommissionIf you missed the story of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Silver Dollars' path in Congress, check it out here:
Part II / In CongressFor other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more about modern US commemorative coins, see:
Commems Collection
Posted 12/21/2025 1:15 pm
