A Collection of Libertas Americana Medals
cardinal
Posts: 2,005 ✭✭✭✭✭
The Libertas Americana Medal is one of my most favorite of all of the pieces from the colonial period of the United States. As the clear predecessor to our earliest coinage designs, it is something I have included in my various collections, including this one that I have displayed as part of the Portraits of Liberty Large Cent collection:
This particular piece is one of the original bronze specimens struck by the Paris Mint in 1781. The Paris Mint also struck a number of silver specimens at that time, along with two examples in gold. The original gold specimens are said to have been lost during the French Revolution.
In more recent years, the Paris Mint re-discovered the original dies for the Libertas Americana Medal, and executed a number of "official" restrikings in various metals with new dies replicated from the originals. I have sought out examples of the restrikings, and they make for quite a display when seen together. With thanks to Phil (aka PCGSPhoto), I finally have images with sufficient resolution to assemble a virtual display, all in proper scale to one another:
This includes two originals and seven distinct restrikes. Is anyone aware of any other "official" restrikes beyond these?
--Cardinal
Portraits of Liberty
This particular piece is one of the original bronze specimens struck by the Paris Mint in 1781. The Paris Mint also struck a number of silver specimens at that time, along with two examples in gold. The original gold specimens are said to have been lost during the French Revolution.
In more recent years, the Paris Mint re-discovered the original dies for the Libertas Americana Medal, and executed a number of "official" restrikings in various metals with new dies replicated from the originals. I have sought out examples of the restrikings, and they make for quite a display when seen together. With thanks to Phil (aka PCGSPhoto), I finally have images with sufficient resolution to assemble a virtual display, all in proper scale to one another:
This includes two originals and seven distinct restrikes. Is anyone aware of any other "official" restrikes beyond these?
--Cardinal
Portraits of Liberty
0
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Ron
Many members on this forum that now it cannot fit in my signature. Please ask for entire list.
Found this one on Ebay, a 2006 silver restrike by the Paris Mint. Any idea how many were struck?
Is it legit?
silver libertas
I love these medals. Great presentation, you should sell that second image in poster size.
JH
Proof Buffalo Registry Set
Capped Bust Quarters Registry Set
Proof Walking Liberty Halves Registry Set
2006 restrike
2006 Libertas restrike
PCGS Registries
Box of 20
SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
Were't the FirstCoinvestor's Bicentennial restrikes (with the added 1976 date) made by the Paris Mint?
TD
I knew it would happen.
<< <i>Very impressive!
Were't the FirstCoinvestor's Bicentennial restrikes (with the added 1976 date) made by the Paris Mint?
TD >>
Yes, the FirstCoinvestor's restrikes were official strikes of the Paris Mint, and they were even issued with Mint certificates of authenticity.
<< <i>Cardinal, are the bottom 2 in your picture the most recent Paris Mint 2006 restrikes? There are some detailed old thread about this restrike.
2006 restrike
2006 Libertas restrike >>
Yes, the bottom two in the display are the most recent restrikes mentioned in the threads you linked. Those too are "official" Paris Mint restrikes, issued with certificates of authenticity, but the certificates were silent on the mintage. The overall quality of these are also quite a bit less than the other restrikes.
<< <i>I like the large silver one in the middle! How many oz of silver is the big one and were can one find these beautiful restrikes? >>
This one is the FirstCoinvestor's restrike, and it contains 240g of silver.
except for the shovel over her shoulder.
If it's meant to be a hat, why is it so small, so stiff, so unnaturally gravity-defying?
to me, it looks like an afterthought, disproportionately sqeezed into a otherwise outstanding design
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
except for the shovel over her shoulder.
That's too funny!
Love the set Cardinal. Love the Large Cents and the previous Early Dollar set.
I patiently await the encore. The first of many, I hope.
<< <i>I've always loved everything about these,
except for the shovel over her shoulder.
If it's meant to be a hat, why is it so small, so stiff, so unnaturally gravity-defying?
to me, it looks like an afterthought, disproportionately sqeezed into a otherwise outstanding design >>
You, are a meathead!
Stifle yerself!!!!!!
(but it still looks like a little shovel and afterthought addition rather than a hat on a pole, looking unnatrual and defying gravity and being too small for her head)
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Phrygian Cap
Liberty Pole
--Severian the Lame
A terrific collection (as expected).
I still like the original Libertas obverse better.
Since the time of that thread, the Libertas Americana collection has grown. Here is the updated collection, including the Original medals struck in silver and bronze in 1783, the small Centennial tokens of the 1870's, the giant Bicentennial medals, and the more recent mid-size restrikes:
-- Cardinal
Libertas Americana through Time
it seemed that whoever added the cap and pole to that item (at someone's request, probably) had fit it into the only space available and caused it to be so small
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
--Severian the Lame
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
<< <i>Spectacular! What ever happened with the research of that piece of metal that had several designs for various early medals, including the Libertas, that had the shovel (ok, cap and pole
it seemed that whoever added the cap and pole to that item (at someone's request, probably) had fit it into the only space available and caused it to be so small >>
I am in the "afterthought theory" camp.
Great to run across this thread @cardinal!
Beautiful token @Broadstruck!