France. 1792 Lyon Convention Medal. By Galle. Maz-318. Metal de Cloche. MS-64 (PCGS).39.1 mm. <strong>Obv</strong><strong>:</strong> A left facing head of Liberty with cap-topped pole serves as the focal device with the inscription LIBERTE FRANCOISE above, the inscription LAN L . DE LA . R . F . below, and the "signature" GALLE along the truncation of the bust. <strong>Rev:</strong> Multi-line inscription within an encircling wreath. Both sides exhibit deep olive-copper patina, the surfaces impressively smooth in appearance and boldly defined throughout. Most specimens of this medal show significant granularity, as struck, but this piece was made on a particularly choice planchet. A popular medal with American collectors, the obverse design is similar to that used on the famous Libertas Americana medal, which in turn inspired the Liberty Cap coinage of the early U.S. Mint. Examples of this type were struck from metal taken from a bell rung in 1792, the first year of the new French Republic.From the Martin Logies Collection.
