Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A renowned polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventory he is known for the lightening rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove.
In 2006, the celebrate the 300th Anniversary of his birth, the United States Mint authorized the creation of two silver coins: the Ben Franklin "Scientist" Silver Dollar, and the Ben Franklin "Founding Father" Silver Dollar.
The Ben Franklin "Scientist" Silver Dollar depicts Franklin's infamous kite flown during a thunderstorm, while the other side depicts his political cartoon emphasizing the need for the colonies to join together against the British with the image of a snake separated and the slogan "Join or Die."
This 2006 Ben Franklin Scientist Proof Silver Dollar was minted at the Philadelphia Mint with a mintage of 142,000. It will come in its original government packaging.