My Libertas Americana Collection

AnkurJ · November 27, 2008 12:16PM

I picked up a few items related to the Libertas americana, as well as two original bronze examples. I thought I would post them all here for board members to enjoy & see.

Article is from coinlink.com:
The obverse shows the head of Liberty with flowing hair facing left, pole with Liberty cap behind her head, the inspiration for the 1793 Liberty Cap half cents, a design variously ascribed to Joseph Wright, Adam Eckfeldt, Henry Voigt, Robert Birch, and/or David Rittenhouse. The legend LIBERTAS.AMERICANA. encircles her head, with the date 4 JUIL. 1776 in exergue (the date of signing of the Declaration of Independence, of course). On the reverse Minerva with shield and spear protects an infant from an attacking lion, with legend around NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS (”The infant is not bold without divine aid”). As paraphrased from Betts:

The medal conveys an adroit compliment to the French nation. The infant Hercules stands for the new American Republic and has strangled two serpents, symbolizing the American victories at Yorktown and Saratoga (dates in reverse exergue, with DUPRE.F.)–but he is still exposed to the attack of the “cowardly” British lion, tail between his legs, whose power is baffled by Minerva. Her lily (”fleur de lis”) shield shows her to be emblematic of France, coming to the aid of the Republic. The legend is taken from an ode of Horace, “Descende coelo” (”Heaven descends”).

The Comitia Americana volume comments further concerning the historic importance of the piece:

“The story of the Libertas Americana medal has been told many times. Ever since its enthusiastic reception in France, the Libertas has compelled the attention of numismatists, cataloguers, and art lovers of all descriptions. It is, simply put, a masterpiece.

“Credit for this magnificent medal goes to Benjamin Franklin, who conceived and then liberally financed the project, and to the artisan he chose to execute the dies, Augustin Dupré. The combination of one of the great minds of the day with one of the leading artistic talents produced a monument worthy of both. Any individual who imbibes the simple beauty of this medal, taking the time to understand its role in history, will inevitably be inspired. The Libertas is a legacy to be treasured.”

One of two original Bronze examples. Someone tried to turn it in a silver one! Bought from Jim Polonsky.

The Second example with a few rim hits. Bought from Joe Levine.

A 1875 Centennial Medal with the Libertas obverse:

Lastly, a restrike of the Betts 608 medal. This is a historically significant medal that commemorates the American victory in the Revolutionary War. Obv.: King Louis XVI proclaims American independence, represented by a bar cent-like shild hung on a Liberty pole. On the reverse, an olive tree is spawned from Athena's spear. The shields of Eruopean powers Britain, Spain, France and Holland are joined by a ribbon, giving consent to American freedom. A shield of war with the head of Medusa lies disrespectfully on the ground.

Silver and Bronze Paris restrikes not pictured.

Thanks for reading, and happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Ankur

denga · November 27, 2008 12:53PM

Thanks for sharing.

Denga

MidLifeCrisis · November 27, 2008 1:40PM

OPA · November 27, 2008 1:40PM

Most recent silver Paris Mint Restrike ..circa 2006 ...

CertifiedGoldCoins · November 27, 2008 2:12PM

Nice medals you have there. Here's mine, a gold (almost 2oz.) restrike from 1976:

I've done some research on these; see the link in my sig below.

mrearlygold · November 27, 2008 2:53PM

STONE · November 27, 2008 3:08PM

I never knew about the last two medals you posted, very cool

joecopper · November 27, 2008 8:43PM

Ankur,
Ray Rouse has an interesting article on the Libertas in Penny Wise regarding its role (or not) in US coinage. If you have the disk you can find it easily.

CertifiedGoldCoins · January 9, 2009 12:54AM

I finally located a 1976 silver restrike (78mm) by the Paris Mint (note the 1976 date on the obverse), like the one that I bought one back then, from "First Coinvestors" and had to sell a few years later. The edge is stamped COPY OF DESIGN BY BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: ORIGINALS STRUCK IN 1783 . S.I.C.M.M. PARIS FRANCE GO No. 0192 * ARGENT *

I suspect that the reason these restrikes are hard to find is that some were melted when silver hit $50, making its 8 ounces worth more than the $250 issue price.

OPA · January 9, 2009 1:40AM

<< I finally located a 1976 silver restrike (78mm) by the Paris Mint (note the 1976 date on the obverse), like the one that I bought one back then, from "First Coinvestors" and had to sell a few years later. The edge is stamped COPY OF DESIGN BY BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: ORIGINALS STRUCK IN 1783 . S.I.C.M.M. PARIS FRANCE GO No. 0192 * ARGENT *

I suspect that the reason these restrikes are hard to find is that some were melted when silver hit $50, making its 8 ounces worth more than the $250 issue price. >>

Sorry to disappoint you, but yours is a copy & not a "restrike."

CertifiedGoldCoins · January 9, 2009 2:23AM

Point taken. Since it was not struck from the original dies, it should be considered a copy (and does say COPY on the edge). That makes me curious about the one you posted above, which you also called a restrike. Were the original dies used for that one? And where does that leave the one I posted below yours, in gold?

RTS · January 9, 2009 2:29AM

Wonderful.

jmski52 · January 9, 2009 2:37AM

CGC, you shouldn't be baiting me with that gold one. You just shouldn't.

OPA · January 9, 2009 2:39AM

<< Point taken. Since it was not struck from the original dies, it should be considered a copy (and does say COPY on the edge). That makes me curious about the one you posted above, which you also called a restrike. Were the original dies used for that one? And where does that leave the one I posted below yours, in gold? >>

Yes ... both are considered "restrikes" that were struck from the original dies & issued by the Monnaie de Paris ( French Mint )

CertifiedGoldCoins · January 9, 2009 3:32AM

<< CGC, you shouldn't be baiting me with that gold one. You just shouldn't. >>

Would it make you feel better if I told you I paid (ahem) $1,015 for it?

<< Yes ... both are considered "restrikes" that were struck from the original dies & issued by the Monnaie de Paris ( French Mint ) >>

I've updated my Web page accordingly, thanks. LINK

CertifiedGoldCoins · January 9, 2009 5:19AM

<< Most recent silver Paris Mint Restrike ..circa 2006 ...

>>

OPA, I just checked the edge on my gold piece. It reads "305/500 Monnaie de Paris 2000" So was the silver one you posted from 2000, or 2006? Just wondering.....

OPA · January 9, 2009 5:47AM

<< 

<< Most recent silver Paris Mint Restrike ..circa 2006 ...

>>

OPA, I just checked the edge on my gold piece. It reads "305/500 Monnaie de Paris 2000" So was the silver one you posted from 2000, or 2006? Just wondering..... >>

I don't have the medal with me, but if I recall, both versions ( silver & bronze) were offered for sale by the French Mint in honor of the 225 Anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown October 1781. The US distributor was Talisman Coins.

BTW..a bunch of board members jumped at the chance, including myself, of buying them when they became available .... but neither PCGS or NGC would holder them at the time, because they did not have a holder big enough to house both. The Picture of the silver version, I "borrowed" from Talisman a few years ago...I kinda liked it.

CertifiedGoldCoins · January 9, 2009 6:14AM

So that would make at least three recent issues:

--- gold, silver, and bronze in 1976 for the US bicentennial, promoted by First Coinvestors (box shown below),
--- Then the gold one I own, apparently sold direct by the Paris Mint in 2000 (all it says on the blue velvet box is Monnaie de Paris),
--- and finally (I hope) your silver and bronze pieces, vintage 2006.

So what the heck were they commemorating in 2000, Bastille Day?

jmski52 · January 9, 2009 6:32AM

Bronze, from 2006:

jmski52 · January 9, 2009 6:37AM

Would it make you feel better if I told you I paid (ahem) $1,015 for it?

No. And I notice that it's not for sale, either. There was one at Heritage awhile back, but I have never done an auction and figured that it was no time to start.

I remember when they came out in 1976! They are still pretty nice.

CertifiedGoldCoins · January 9, 2009 8:09AM

I saw a gold one like mine in a Google search for $3,500 and made sure to show it to my wife, who didn't think it was a good idea to "spend" a thousand dollars for it.

Fletcher · February 5, 2009 7:17AM

Great additions

mrearlygold · February 5, 2009 7:27AM

rays · February 5, 2009 8:52AM

I love these pieces, they are even more impressive in hand.

Fletcher · March 8, 2009 6:51AM

AnkurJ · March 8, 2009 7:04AM

Nice Fletcher! I saw that one on ebay, but no way I could afford it. I will have to settle with the restrike. Oh, and to catch up with me, you need TWO bronze examples

I have a gold one and both modern restrikes, but just didnt post them.

Ankur

STONE · March 8, 2009 7:07AM

L-A Medal

There you go Fletch, just the Libertas Americana Medal you would want to match the addition you just got

Fletcher · March 8, 2009 7:23AM

My Libertas Americana Collection

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