Here is a nice example of the Libertas Americana medal. Benjamin Franklin conceived, sponsored and distributed these pieces after the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783. The French medalist Augustin Dupre executed it. It has long been considered to be a masterpiece. The obverse features Lady Liberty with a Phrygian cap on a pole behind her head. In Roman times, freed slaves wore such caps after they received their freedom. Above are the words, “Libertas Americana” and below is the date, “4 July 1776.” The reverse is filled with symbolism. Minerva (France) is shown holding of the British lion with its tail symbolically between its legs as a sign of defeat. Below, the infant Hercules (America) is slaying two snakes which are symbolic of the Battles of Saratoga and Yorktown. The dates of those battles, 17 October 1777 and 19 October 1781 are shown below. The Latin legend above, “Non sine diis animosus infans,” is roughly translated to “The infant is bold when given the aid of the gods.” There were two examples of those medal struck in gold that were given to the French king and queen. Both pieces were lost during the French Revolution. There are 30 to 35 pieces known silver and 100 to 125 known in copper, which is the composition of the piece shown above.
