The standing figure has a book in his left hand, his right hand extended as if possibly to hold a pen (or a kite string?), and his face turned upward. A medal (possibly intended to represent the Royal Society's Copley medal, awarded him in 1753) hangs around his neck. A fur-lined robe hangs from his left shoulder to his feet.

The figure is evidence of the eagerness with which potters, printers and other craftsmen moved to attract the attention of the buying public since, though it is very well designed, it bears no resemblance to Franklin.