1776 (1783) Silver Medal Betts-615 - Libertas Americana

Coin Details

Description

The silver Libertas Americana medal is the prestige format of Benjamin Franklin's celebrated Revolutionary War commemorative, struck at the Paris Mint in 1783 from dies engraved by Augustin Dupre. Silver examples were intended for diplomatic presentation to European heads of state and senior officials, making them far rarer than the bronze strikings that were produced in somewhat larger numbers for broader distribution. The obverse features Dupre's iconic bust of Liberty facing left with flowing hair and a pole-mounted liberty cap, surrounded by LIBERTAS AMERICANA and dated 4 JUIL. 1776. This portrait ranks among the supreme achievements of eighteenth-century medal engraving and established a visual vocabulary for American Liberty that influenced coin designs for decades. The delicate rendering of Liberty's hair and the classical purity of the profile demonstrate why Dupre was considered the foremost medalist of his era. The reverse allegorically depicts the American struggle through the myth of the infant Hercules, shown strangling two serpents representing the British armies defeated at Saratoga and Yorktown. Minerva, symbolizing France, extends her shield bearing the royal fleur-de-lis to protect the infant from a rampaging lion representing Britain. The Latin legend NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS ("The bold infant is not without divine aid") encapsulates the diplomatic message: American independence was achieved with essential French assistance. Franklin personally presented silver examples to Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and members of the French court. The silver strikes were produced in very limited quantities, estimated at fewer than 50 pieces. Survivors in any condition are major rarities that command six-figure prices at auction when they appear, which is seldom. The silver Libertas Americana is universally regarded as one of the most important and beautiful objects in American numismatics.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Estimated fewer than 50 original silver strikes produced in 1783. Survivors command extraordinary premiums. One of the landmark rarities of American numismatics.

Cross References

Betts-615; Loubat 12; Fuld FR.ME.AL.3; Greenslet-1