1873 Thousands Ruined by Great Depression, Bronze Medal

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THE FRANKLIN MINT

HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES

Year by year, from the independence of the United States in 1776, for a period of two hundred years, The Franklin Mint History of the United States depicts the "event of the year" selected from those listed on the reverse of each medal.  This medallic history tells the story of America as it has never been told before.  Statring in the mid-1960s, the Franklin Mint produced 24,836 Proof-Like Solid Bronze sets.  Each medal is 45mm (millimeters) or slightly larger than 1 3/4 inch diameter.  The Proof-like finish is very close to Proof quality, but produced at greater speed with minor surface imperfections being acceptable; still equal to to many specimens normally considered "Proof" by collectors.  Solid Franklin Bronze is the Franklin Mint's premium-quality  wrought bronze alloy, with higher than usual nickel content and a distinctive rose-gold color.  The alloy was originally called "Franklin Nickel-Bronze."