Franklin Mint

Know the business

The useful overview.

Joseph Segel founded the business as General Numismatics Corporation in 1964, and it took the Franklin Mint name in 1965. Its historical output extended well beyond coins to subscription medal sets, art ingots, commemorative plates and other collectibles. Silver is an important part of that history, but the name alone does not establish that a particular item contains silver.[1][9]

Collectors should separate the historical maker from the present retail brand. Independent reporting in 2024 identified Omni Retail Enterprises as owner of Franklin Mint intellectual property, and Omni lists the brand in its portfolio. Franklin Mint’s own support material describes an acquisition of the former company’s IP, a 2023 restructuring and a 2025 online-only relaunch. These sources do not establish uninterrupted operation of the historical mint or current production of its old silver series.[4][5][6][7]

For a vintage piece, start with identification: the exact series, edition, metal, dimensions, markings and completeness. Some historical medal subjects were issued in several sizes or metals, including bronze, sterling, gold-plated sterling, gold and platinum. Compare the object with specialist references and institutional records before applying a price or metal-content estimate.[9][10][13][15]

For price research, use completed sales of closely matched objects rather than original issue prices or current asking prices. A documented January 31, 2026 auction sold 39 presidential sterling plates for $19,200 including buyer’s premium. That record also describes the lot’s condition, boxes, certificates and total gross weight. It is evidence for that sale, not a price for every presidential set or every ounce of Franklin Mint silver.[16]

Names & chapters

How the story developed.

1. 1964

   Business founded

   The historical company profile records Joseph Segel’s founding of General Numismatics Corporation.[1]

2. 1965

   Franklin Mint name adopted

   The business was renamed Franklin Mint, according to the historical company profile.[1]

3. 1980

   Warner Communications ownership

   The historical profile records acquisition by Warner Communications.[1]

4. 1985

   Resnick ownership

   The historical profile records ownership by Lynda and Stewart Resnick.[1]

5. 2006

   Subsequent ownership change

   Contemporary reporting published in 2008 identifies Steven Malamud and Moshe Salzman in the 2006 ownership change.[2]

6. 2013-11-04

   Brand acquisition announced

   Sequential Brands announced the acquisition of the brand, related intellectual property and certain assets. The announcement separately described licensing the previous ownership group to fulfill a legacy Presidential Coin program.[3]

7. 2023

   Restructuring described in current support material

   The present retailer’s own account dates a restructuring to 2023 and says the acquisition covered the former company’s intellectual property. This is an attributed company account.[6]

8. 2024

   Omni ownership reported

   Retail Dive identified Omni Retail Enterprises as owner of Franklin Mint intellectual property; Omni’s portfolio also lists the brand.[4][5]

9. 2025

   Online-only relaunch described

   Current support material says Franklin Mint relaunched as an online-only retailer in 2025. This does not establish continuity of the old manufacturing operations.[7]

Independent reporting and Omni’s own portfolio identify the present brand relationship. This is separate from the historical mint’s ownership timeline.[4][5]

The specialist guide is unaffiliated with Franklin Mint and also buys and sells collectibles.[10]

Follow an interest

What to explore.

• Historical sterling-silver sets
• Medals
• Art ingots and bars
• Commemorative plates
• Vintage collectibles

Check the details

Before you buy.

Read the current item and checkout terms. These notes summarize dated company policies, not a promise about your order. Applicable consumer rights still matter.

Open the references

Research this name.

1. Independent specialist guide

   Franklin Mint Silver

   Identify vintage sets, compare packaging and find leads on metals, issue details and completeness.[10]

   Independent of Franklin Mint and commercially involved in buying and selling. Coverage and update dates are incomplete; rarity stars are subjective, and asking prices are not completed sales.

2. Community catalog

   Numista’s Franklin Mint reference bibliography

   Follow item-level entries tied to the 1982 Guidebook and compare specifications and catalog references.[12][13]

   Community-contributed information needs cross-checking. Member rarity indicators do not measure the worldwide surviving population, and metal-value estimates are not appraisals.

3. Historical printed reference

   Guidebook of Franklin Mint Issues, 1982 edition

   Locate a contemporary reference for historical catalog numbers and issue details.[14][12]

   This is a verified bibliographic record, not a promise of free full-text access. The 1982 edition is not a current price guide or a complete record of later production.

4. Institutional reference

   ANA Money Museum exhibit

   Check documented historical objects and the different metals and formats used for medal issues.[9]

   Institutional holdings are selective and do not provide a comprehensive catalog or current resale values.

5. Dated auction result

   Case Auctions: presidential sterling plates sold in 2026

   See an actual sold lot with condition, completeness and a stated price basis.[16]

   The $19,200 result includes buyer’s premium and applies to this 39-plate lot. Gross sterling weight is not fine-silver weight, and a buyer’s total is not a seller’s net proceeds.