(1781) Libertas Americana Medal MS64 Brown PCGS. Betts-615, Loubat-14....

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Libertas Americana Medal, MS64 Brown
Betts-615, Famous Symbol of American Liberty

(1781) Libertas Americana Medal MS64 Brown PCGS. Betts-615, Loubat-14. Struck in bronzed copper. Commissioned in 1782 and produced in 1783, the Libertas Americana medals served a dual purpose -- celebrating the new nation's victories over the British at Saratoga and Yorktown, and acknowledging the French contributions to the War for Independence effort. The medals were issued in bronzed copper and silver, plus a pair of gold medals were gifted to King Louis XVI and his queen, Marie-Antoinette. The fate of those medals is unknown today. Somewhere between 20 and 30 silver medals survive, plus 100 to 125 copper pieces exist today. A single white metal example is known. This Choice copper medal ranks as one of the finest at PCGS, which has certified a only a dozen Libertas Americana copper medals at the MS64 grade and single MS64+ example finer (6/24). Remarkably smooth and attractive chestnut-brown fields contrast with rich-brown raised motifs for excellent eye appeal. As always, scattered small areas of die rust exist behind Liberty's flowing hair as minted. Perfect rims surround the fully struck lettering and glossy central motifs. It was at the direction of the Continental Congress that allowed Benjamin Franklin authority to procure the medals. Franklin was the then-current ambassador to France. The Libertas Americana medal was designed by Augustin Dupre and the medals were struck at the Paris Mint.
From The L. William Libbert Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# DRPN, PCGS# 151815, Greysheet# 200006)

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