1781 Libertas Americana NGC MS63BN CAC. 1781. B.615. Obverse: Liberty faces left with pole and cap behind her, the inspiration for the 1793 U.S. half cent obverse. Reverse: France defends toddler America from the English lion. The three dates on the medal refer to the Declaration of Independence (4 JUIL. 1776) and the U.S. military victories at Saratoga (17 OCT. 1777) and Yorktown (19 OCT. 1781). From the original dies. The medal was commissioned and distributed by Benjamin Franklin, engraved by Augustin Dupre, and struck at the Paris Mint. The present specimen , so nice, clean and smooth cheek, wonderfully struck.

 

Glorious and undervalued as heck. Libertas Americana Medal, Betts-615 (47.7 mm, 42.4 gm). Certified by NGC in an oversized holder, this historic medal is in premium condition. Rare in all grades and always in demand due to their connection with the first few years of the United States, these medals (made in Paris by the French Mint) have become increasingly hard to find in choice condition. This is such a premium survivor with chocolate-brown color and excellent eye-appeal, and is worthy in the finest specialist collection of early American coinage.

 

Three different dates (1776, 1779 and 1781) are featured on the medal, but neither show the correct year of striking. Copper originals, like the piece we offer here, were struck in April of 1783. The earlier dates commemorate the declaration of independence, victory of the U.S. Military at Saratoga (17 OCT. 1777) and at Yorktown (19 OCT. 1779). The design of the obverse does not need much introduction, as the 1793 Half Cents were largely based on this design. The young head of a lady with flowing hair compliments the overall look of this coin, and we can see why the Flowing Hair coins later minted by the United States are often mentioned as beautiful examples of United States coinage.

 

The reverse, where the latter of the mentioned two dates are listed, features an enigmatic scene engraved in detail and worthy of a closer look. We see three major players, with two minor visible as well. The largest is a woman, Minerva, with a shield in her left hand and a sparrow in her right hand. Minerva, a Roman goddess originating back to the Etruscans (ca. 2000 year B.C) is depicting France, as seen by the three lilies (Fleur-de-lis) on her shield. These have been associated with the French monarchy since the 12th century. Minerva can be seen fighting a lion with its tail between its legs, meant to depict a cowardly Great-Britain attacking the young Republic once again. That young Republic, The United States of America, is the young Hercules, under protection of the shield of Minerva. He has already defeated two serpents, both still visible in the depicted scene. The defeats of these serpents represent the earlier mentioned victories at Saratoga and Yorktown.

 

An important medal, directly funded by Benjamin Franklin, who personally selected Augustin Dupr to engrave the dies. The obverse is credited to Joseph Wright, but this fact remains disputed. The reverse was based on a sketch by the French artist Esprit-Antoine Giblein. Total mintages are not known, but it is believed that less than 45 of these originals or known to exist in Bronzed copper. The majority show problems like cleaning or damage, and finding a problem-free example in uncirculated condition is extremely difficult. A sharp strikes and virtually mark-free surfaces highlight this coin, which is only rivaled by a handful number of pieces. Both dies appear to be an early die state, with only minor die rust visible in the fields and a minor die crack at 7 oclock on the obverse, as always seen. Certified by CAC for exceptional quality, this premium piece is destined to move fast.