Libertas Americana
tradedollarnut
Posts: 20,162 ✭✭✭✭✭
Ever since reluctantly selling Cardinal the silver Harry Bass specimen that he netted almost $100k on [ 
], I've been on the lookout for one of these:
], I've been on the lookout for one of these: 0
Comments
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
No medal is in more demand among collectors of American coins, and for good reason: none can claim the dual honors of being both created by a Founding Father as a commemoration of the birth of this nation in addition to being the design inspiration for the most famous and attractive early American coinage types. Greater appreciation of this in recent years has led to many connoisseurs seeking out fine Libertas Americana medals to place in a collection of high-grade coins struck by the first U.S. Mint. As a result, gem specimens like this—once considered relatively common—are no longer seen on bourse floors or even auctions on a regular basis.
The Libertas Americana medal is most famously associated with Benjamin Franklin, as the designs and legends were the result of his collaboration with other top minds of his era: Robert Livingston, who offered early encouragement; Sir William Jones, the Englishman who suggested a line from Horace be used as the reverse legend; fresco painter E.A. Gibelin, who was the first to sketch Franklin's conception. Of course, it was Franklin's friendship with the top French sculptor of the period, Augustin Dupre, that made the Libertas Americana medal an exceptionally beautiful monument to the American Liberty they both held in great esteem. Guided by Franklin's influence, it was Dupre who conceived the beautiful face of Liberty with flowing tresses that came to be the instantly identifiable face of the new nation.
Franklin was very pleased with his creation. He found that Sir William Jones' suggestion for a reverse legend, translated as "The courageous child was aided by the gods," was perfectly applicable. It was probably Franklin's idea to show the lion, representing Great Britain, with its tail between its legs. Dupre's sketches, many of which are preserved at the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, show the tail out, then erased and tucked between the legs, as is Franklin interceded for the amendation of the design. When he wrote to Robert Livingston, who served with Franklin on the committee to create the Declaration of Independence, on April 15, 1783, Franklin reported general satisfaction with the design: "it is mightily well received, and gives general pleasure." He also included a specimen in silver for "the President of Congress" and mentioned that he presented "one in silver to each of the French ministers, as a monumental acknowledgement, which may go down in future ages, of the obligations we are under to this nation." Franklin, however, preferred the look of copper pieces, saying "the impression on copper is thought to appear best" and sending specimens to many of his personal friends and other acquaintances. Jefferson displayed one in a frame at Monticello, cataloguing it in his inventory of wall hangings as "Infant America protected by Minerva from the lion. A medal designed by Dr. Franklin." Washington received one, among other medals, as a gift from Jefferson in 1790. Displayed to acquaintances at Mount Vernon by Martha Washington (one such occasion is documented in June 1797), the piece is now at the Massachusetts Historical Society.
ANR link
What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
I thought it was cheap!
Congratulations
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
<< <i>That brought an astounding price tonight.
I thought it was cheap!
Congrats
I like the write up too. I would want to copyright that much text.
WOW!!
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill
The obverse design is the basis of most federal coinage for the next 100 years.
Congrats to TDN for putting one of these back into his collection.
(But he should have kept the silver one !!!!)
Sunnywood
Sunnywood's Rainbow-Toned Morgans (Retired)
Sunnywood's Barber Quarters (Retired)
I know that that the silver one sells for big bucks, but I think the desing looks better in copper. This medal has a great history that equal or even better than the 1792 half disme. It's one of my favorites.
and it went for a really reasonable price
Truly a beautiful coin. Remarkable.