1781 (1783) Libertas Americana Medal. Original. Paris Mint. By Augustin Dupre. Adams-Bentley 15, Betts-615. Bronze. MS-62 BN (NGC). 47.7 mm. Obv: Bust of Liberty to left with flowing tresses and liberty pole with cap, the inscription LIBERTAS AMERICANA above and the date 4 JUIL. 1776 below in exergue. There is a small die break (as struck) on the rim below the digit 4 in the date, as found on all genuine first strikes of this issue. Rev: Standing Minerva in full battle dress with spear holds a French shield over the infant Hercules (America) who is gripping a serpent in each hand, the serpents representing the American victories at Saratoga in October 1777 (the field was won for the American army by Benedict Arnold, who was wounded in the leg while rallying the American forces, though credit for the victory was given to General Horatio Gates, who remained as far as possible from the actual field of battle) and at Yorktown in October 1781. Minerva fends off a leaping lioness (England), its tail between its legs, a heraldic symbol of defeat. The inscription NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS (the courageous child was aided by the gods) arcs above, the dates of the British surrender by General "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne at Saratoga on October 17, 1777, and the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown on October 19, 1781, are below in exergue.There are few items on more want lists, or more cherished once acquired, than an original bronze Libertas Americana medal. This is an attractive one, with dominant deep autumn-brown color to both sides. We also note wisps of olive-gray patina that gravitate toward the borders. The surfaces show mostly small, singularly inconspicuous marks that are largely overlooked in hand, although faint carbon is a bit more pronounced and is largely responsible for the MS-62 numeric designation returned by NGC. Tiny planchet flakes in the left and right obverse field areas are as made. The luster is a bit muted, although not significantly so at the assigned grade level. The overall visual appeal is spectacular.There is something special about this medal in its copper form. Whether it be its relationship to the first copper issues of the United States Mint or just the way the design looks in rich copper-brown, the impact of medals like this in hand is always breathtaking. It is well known that Benjamin Franklin preferred Dupres majestic design in copper. "The Impression in Copper is thought to appear best," Franklin wrote to Robert Livingston on April 15, 1783, though one wonders if he might have written something different if the piece he enclosed for Livingston was a silver one. Copper (often attributed as bronze today) specimens like this one were sent to the members of Congress and other functionaries close to the government; it seems likely that more copper pieces were distributed in the United States than in France. "I have sent by different Opportunities so many as that every Member of Congress might have One," Franklin wrote to Elias Boudinot, then president of Congress but later director of the Mint. "I hope they are come safe to hand by this time." Boudinot confirmed their arrival and described how he parceled them out: "I have received the additional number of Medals, which, not having any particular directions from you, I distributed among the Members of Congress, presented one to the Governor of each State, and the Ministers round Congress."Every time a collector encounters a Libertas Americana medal in this format today, its fair to wonder if it was one of the ones Franklin sent to the United States for distribution to our Founding Fathers.
