Just For Fun: Do You Know What This Is?

braddick

I know it's someone beat up, but that's what gives it its charm (IMHO).
Do you know what it is and why it was minted?

Obverse:



Reverse:

braddick

... The coin on the right, by the way. I already know you know what the coin on the left is...

FC57Coins

Wow - I've never seen a Libertas Americana medal that beat up before. Leave it up to Pat to find some such thing. It was commisioned by Franklin while he was in Paris to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and was the model if you will for some of the early flowing hair coinage. - What's the story on this piece Pat?

ziggy29

Not sure, but I recognize the 19 Oct 1781 date as the date Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. Four years prior to that -- also a date on the coin -- Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga on 17 Oct 1777.

It might be French in nature. Which might explain the reverse; perhaps a grown up (France) helping protect an infant (the new U.S.A.) from the attacking (British) beast? Seems like that metaphor fits, if this is indeed French in nature.

braddick

<< <i>Wow - I've never seen a Libertas Americana medal that beat up before. Leave it up to Pat to find some such thing. It was commisioned by Franklin while he was in Paris to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and was the model if you will for some of the early flowing hair coinage. - What's the story on this piece Pat? >>

Dang Frank- you DO know more than just Franklins and Kennedies!
-I picked this one up about ten years ago from a smaller Dealer at Long Beach. About five years after than I took it back to Long Beach and had a Dealer check more into it. I don't know his name, but anyone and everyone that goes to Long Beach would: it's the gentleman who handles tons of raw, early copper and has the most amazing set-up of Bust Cents and such. Actually row upon row of large cents in his case with many of them housed in small wooden trays. Anyway, he looked at it and after taping it on his glass show case a couple of times on its edge(!!) declared it to be authentic, albeit pretty beat up.

I believe I paid about $200. for it.