The Franklin Mint

The Franklin Mint

Company type	Privately held company
Industry	Minting, collectibles, publishing, die-cast models
Founded	1964 (1964) in Wawa, Pennsylvania, United States
Founder	Joseph Segel
Headquarters	Exton and New York City , United States
Area served	International
Products	Commemorative coins, medals, jewelry, die-cast models, dolls, sculptures, collectible items, books (The Franklin Library)
Owner	Retail Ecommerce Ventures
Parent	Retail Ecommerce Ventures

The Franklin Mint is a privately held mint established in 1964 by Joseph Segel in Wawa, Pennsylvania, with its main offices located in Exton, Pennsylvania and New York City. Initially recognized for crafting commemorative gold and silver medallions and rounds, the company broadened its offerings to encompass coins, medals, jewelry, die-cast models, dolls, sculptures, and a variety of collectible items.

Once owned by Sequential Brands Group based in New York City, the brand now operates under Retail Ecommerce Ventures (REV). The Franklin Mint’s strategy has centered on widespread distribution of collectibles through multiple marketing channels, including print magazines and television commercials.

History

Throughout more than fifty years, The Franklin Mint built a varied product range beginning with private commemorative coinage. During the 1970s and 1980s, the firm ventured into producing legal tender coins, offering both bullion and non-bullion proof and uncirculated sets for numerous nations, especially Panama and various island countries. Its "Coin Sets of all Nations" collection combined coins with postage stamps and cancellations, becoming a prominent product line.

In addition to coins, the company sold dolls, decorative plates, knives, LP record collections, and die-cast vehicles frequently themed around historical personalities, celebrities, or wildlife subjects. This expansion supported growth by attracting collectors internationally.

The Franklin Library

Operating from 1973 until 2000, The Franklin Library specialized in publishing classic works from the public domain that were uniquely designed and bound by The Sloves Organization, Ltd. It released distinguished series such as The Great Books of the Western World and The Hundred Greatest Books of All Time, carving out a distinctive market segment focused on premium book collections.

Vehicle models

Following its acquisition by Warner Communications in 1983, The Franklin Mint entered the die-cast vehicle sector with the launch of the 1935 Mercedes Benz 500K Roadster. Marketed under the name Franklin Mint Precision Models, this line expanded to encompass over 600 different models including motorcycles, trucks, tractors, and cars. In 1998, it introduced the Duesenberg Coupé Simone—an imagined luxury automobile that generated notable interest among collectors. The company also produced intricately detailed 1:48 scale World War II aircraft models such as the B-17 Flying Fortress, PBY Catalina, P-51 Mustang, and Focke-Wulf Fw 190, further diversifying its collectible offerings.

Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund vs Franklin Mint

After Princess Diana’s passing, the Diana Memorial Fund obtained intellectual property rights concerning her likeness. When Franklin Mint was refused an official license to produce Diana-themed merchandise, the Fund initiated legal action in 1998 over unauthorized sales of dolls, plates, and jewelry. Legal challenges emerged because California’s right of publicity laws apply only to residents; consequently, the Fund filed suit representing Diana’s estate. After an unfavorable ruling for the Fund, Franklin Mint counterclaimed in 2003. The matter was resolved out of court in 2004 with the Fund agreeing to contribute £13.5 million to charities chosen jointly. Legal expenses approaching £4 million affected the Fund’s grant-making capacity and underscored significant financial and reputational consequences for both parties involved.