(1783) Libertas Americana medal. Betts-615. Bronze. MS-63 BN (PCGS).752.8 grains. Glossy dark chestnut brown with a choice, even appearance and some subtly reflective character in the fields. Fully struck and boldly detailed, with every strand of Liberty’s hair appearing as Dupre intended. The fields are essentially immaculate, and the eye appeal is as choice as suggested by the grade. A trivial flaw on the rim above BE of LIBERTAS appears to be inherent to the planchet, and it is easily missed anyway. A rim nick below 1781 in the reverse exergue is the only notable contact point on either side. A little bit of verdigris is present here and there, just enough to suggest this piece’s long-term originality, including a bit on O of OCT in the reverse exergue and a trace in the obverse exergue as well. This medal has the appearance of a piece that has been hidden from view for decades: original and dusky, never faced with an attempt at improvement, rich with the age it has rightly earned.<p>Bronze was Franklin’s preferred format, and for many collectors who are attracted to the Libertas Americana medal’s historic connection to the designs of our earliest copper coins, they are in full agreement. Examples like this always find ready homes in advanced collections.PCGS Population: 15; 16 finer.From the Archangel Collection. Earlier, from Pine Tree’s sale of the John Carter Brown Library Collection, May 1976, lot 889.
