1781 (1782) Libertas Americana Medal. Bronze. 47 mm. By Augustin Dupre. Betts-615. MS-62 BN (PCGS).；An especially appealing example of this classic rarity with rich, slightly mottled, reddish-brown to grayish-brown patina over smooth surfaces. Only a few tiny contact marks are noted, with just two of them being significant enough to identify this particular medal: one in the empty space between the second and third major strand of Libertys hair, and the other between the exergual line and the truncation of the bust. An additional light scratch is noted beneath Libertys chin. No distinctive identifying marks are detected on the reverse. Evenly and boldly struck overall with the detail of the extra-high relief motifs boldly impressed. A bit of light cabinet friction is noted on the highest strands of Libertys hair, as well as a bit on the shoulder of the lion. Only about 100 to 125 or so examples are known in bronze, and they vary in grade from well worn to Gem Mint State, with the present piece residing comfortably among the nicer specimens. There is perhaps no medal or coin that speaks so loudly about the birth of the United States of America than the Libertas Americana medal. The ownership of a Libertas Americana medal adds meaning and depth to any collection of American coins and medals, and the present beauty will be a focal point in its next numismatic cabinet.<p>Designed by Augustin Dupre in Paris in 1782, this beautiful type was instigated by Benjamin Franklin, then minister to France and representative of the newly proclaimed United States of America. The most prominent feature for history buffs is the date below Libertys bust on the obverse -- 4 Juil 1776. The head of Liberty facing left on this famous rarity with her cap on a pole inspired the earliest U.S. Mint engravers to make the liberty cap motif part of our nations first coinage in 1793. Dupres design is about as beautiful and intricate as a medal can be, especially on the reverse. The intricate interplay between the reverse features is laden with iconography. An infant Hercules representing the new American nation strangles two serpents that represent the British armies at Saratoga and Yorktown, the beginning and end of struggles during the Revolution. France, here depicted as Minerva, holds a shield above the infant and her spear keeps the British lion at bay; the lions tail between its legs is a symbol of Englands defeat. Dates in the exergue, October 17, 1777 and October 19, 1781, represent the dates of the American victories at Saratoga and Yorktown. Two Libertas Americana medals were struck in gold for the king and queen of France, several more than that were struck in silver for European monarchs, court ministers and museums, and more still in bronze, as here. The fate of the two gold medals is unknown to todays specialists and collectors, though the hope springs eternal that a gold Libertas Americana medal will show up someday. There are 25 to 30 or so known in silver, all of which are greatly prized. The 100 to 125 pieces estimated to exist in bronze are hardly less a treasure than the silver pieces, and their number allows many collectors today to enjoy the stewardship incumbent with the ownership of this, perhaps the most widely desired of early American numismatic prizes.；
