Electrotype Copy "1781" (mid- to late 19th century) Libertas Americana Medal. After Adams-Bentley 15, Betts-615. Copper Shells. Mint State. 47.5 mm. 602.3 grains. An electrotype of particular cleverness and outstanding preservation. The surfaces are glorious chocolate brown and the details are magnificently crisp on both sides. The rim is perfectly square and shows no evidence of a seam. While the squareness of the edge and the overall weight are tells that this medal isnt authentic, from obverse or reverse only the slight waviness of the fields would indicate to the casual viewer this wasnt a genuine Libertas Americana medal. The obverse and reverse shells were carefully trimmed before being joined to a ring that included a slightly lathed edge and a two step internal rim. To see the seam, look where the fields meet the inner rim. Some trace of lead is seen below the date 1776 where the rim meets the edge. A fascinating study piece, clearly made from a really cherry original medal.
