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The Franklin Mint is a private corporation based in Exton, Pennsylvania which markets collectibles of its own designs. It was founded by Joseph Segel.
The company started by marketing privately-minted gold and silver commemorative rounds and medallions, but quickly branched out into other collectibles. In the 1960s the price of silver rose, causing all silver coins to be removed from circulation. The Nevada casinos used silver dollars in their slot machines, which were soon worth more than a dollar. The Franklin Mint was one of the earliest and largest minters of replacement slot machine tokens.
It minted in its own production facility numerous sets of coins-of-the-realm, theme-based medals and ingots, selling them on the subscription plan, with buyers getting a monthly shipment and invoice. Franklin Mint struck issues in all the different precious and semi-precious metals. American history and art masterpiece themes were predominant, with space and important persons and other topics also quite popular. Sets were often limited by the number of subscribers by a cut-off date, or a fixed mintage, resulting in "limited editions". Prices were fairly reasonable, compared to the cost of silver, and often tens of thousands of sets were sold. Custom wood cases, fancy packaging and certificates appealed to collectors, and the market boomed. However, silver prices climbed, making the cost of larger items high, and replacement bronze and pewter issues did not appeal to collectors as much.
From 1973 to 2000, The Franklin Mint had a division called the Franklin Library, which produced hundreds of editions of classic works of literature in fine bindings.
In 1983, and to much success, The Franklin Mint entered the die-cast car market with the 1935 Mercedes Benz 500K Roadster. In the following years, The Franklin Mint produced numerous designs including the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, one of The Franklin Mint's better-selling models. Collector knives, figurines, plates, Monopoly sets, chess sets and board games, plaques, coins, medals, and other collectibles have been issued over the years by The Franklin Mint.
-- Updated December 31st, 2008 --
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Looking to move product as quickly as possible so they can begin peddling their 2009 lineup, The Franklin Mint today kicked off their 'Plane Crazy 20% Off Sale'. From now until midnight December 10th, you can deduct 20% off the price of any Armour Collection aircraft, as well as their Franklin Mint combat vehicle assortment. This sale cannot be combined with any other promotion we are currently running. Please enter coupon code "TMP040" in the coupon field at checkout...[posted 12/8/2008]
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