DALLAS, TX.- Important, historic medals from the colonial era to present day will be prominently featured in Heritage Auctions' Jan. 4-9 FUN US Coins Auction in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

A bronze medal from the Colonial Era depicting Benjamin Franklin will be among the featured items. First struck at the Paris Mint in 1786, the Dupré-designed pattern commemorated Franklin's 80th birthday. The medal was struck several times in the late 18th century with this example being a 1788 strike.

The obverse inscription reads in Latin "Benjamin Franklin born in Boston 17 of January 1706." The reverse depicts a famous 1778 quote from Turgot in Latin: "He snatched lightning from Heaven and scepters from the Tyrants."

The medal is graded MS63 by NGC and shows only light handling marks.

An 1890 Utah Territory Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society award medal will be offered.

The medal, made from 9.2 grams of 18-karat gold, bears an ornate, hand-etched inscription to "Miss Marie H Gorlinski, for collection of water color paintings" on the reverse. The obverse depicts a beehive, the Mormon symbol of industry.

The Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society was chartered in 1856 and held exhibitions throughout the territory of Utah. These expositions would evolve into the Utah State Fair, an event that attracts over 250,000 people every year.

A 1782 Netherlands-America Treaty of Commerce, graded by NGC as MS 62 and representing the exceptional relationship between America and the Netherlands, was made to represent the successful conclusion of the Netherlands-America Treaty of Commerce in 1782, the same year the Netherlands recognized American independence.

The obverse depicts the personification of America extending a hand of friendship to the personification of the Netherlands, signifying an overture to a relationship that remains strong today. The reverse features a caduceus, wreath, and a Dutch inscription signifying the Netherlands' acceptance of the friendship. There is minor hazel and ocean blue patina along the edges of the coin.

An undated Nobel Committee 23-Karat Gold Medal, graded by NGC as MS 64 is one of five that were struck for committee members for Physics. The extremely rare medal is part of a series of medals given to the members of the Nobel Prize Nomination Committee.

This specific medal was awarded at an unknown date. Furthermore, since there are only 5 committee members for each Nobel Prize Nomination Committee, the mintage for this particular piece is incredibly limited.

The piece is 20 grams of 23 karat gold. This piece is missing the award date on the edge, which may mean it was an extra medal that was never awarded or a prototype.

A 1925 Norse medal - produced as a commemorative of the Restauration, the sloop that enabled the first emigration from Norway to America - was commissioned by Ole Juulson Kvale, a Norse-American Congressman.

Kvale wanted to celebrate the centennial voyage of the Restauration and the immigration of Norwegians to the United States.

Kvale's effort was met with resistance from the U.S. Treasury, but he convinced the U.S. Mint to strike an unorthodox bronze octagonal medal. The medals then were triple-plated with silver and given to assorted dignitaries, including President Calvin Coolidge.

This high-grade medal features a stereotypical Viking in full battle regalia on the obverse and a Viking longship on the reverse.