1781-Dated Revolutionary War Period, LIBERTAS AMERICANA Medal, Struck in Bronze, Betts-615, EF

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Early American History Auctions - December 20...

By Early American History Auctions

Dec 20, 2025

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199 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Historic Maps & more. Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com

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• Lot Description
  Medals
  1781 LIBERTAS AMERICANA Medal Rated Number One in "The Top 100 Greatest American Medals and Tokens"
  1781-Dated (Struck c. 1783) Revolutionary War Period, LIBERTAS AMERICANA Medal, Struck in Bronze, Betts-615, 47.7 mm in diameter, 694.2 grns, Extremely Fine.
  This historic "Classic" Revolutionary War Era medal is circulated and thus more affordable specimens we have offered in our auctions. This medal has been rated by experts as one of America's most famous and important historic medals. In fact, it was chosen as the most important, being ranked Number "1" in the reference book titled, "The Top 100 Greatest American Medals and Tokens." No other medal in American numismatics is invested with so much history and importance as the Libertas Americana medal. It followed the Declaration of American Independence, whose date is placed in the obverse legend, and the support of France in the American cause. The two greatest American victories, that of General Gates at Saratoga and by George Washington at Yorktown, are referenced with dates in the reverse exergue.
  This medal was struck by the order and influence of Benjamin Franklin in 1783, being designed and executed by France's premier sculptor of the time, Augustin Dupree. The reverse legend reads, "NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS," a line from Horace meaning, "Not without gods is the infant courageous," acknowledging France's indispensable role in securing American victory. In the exergue are the dates of the key American victories: "17 OCT. 1777" (Saratoga) and "19 OCT. 1781" (Yorktown). The color is a rich chestnut-brown with faint reddish-bronze tones about some of the devices on the obverse. The surfaces are mostly hard with just some faint hairlines and some trivial contact ticks in the upper right field behind Liberty's head and the Liberty Cap. This historic Revolutionary War era medal is believed to be the prototype for America's own "Liberty Cap" copper coins, first produced by the United States Mint in 1793. Bronze/Copper medals are scarce, with an small estimated 100-125 original pieces surviving. This well struck specimen is desirable for the type and being circulated more affordable to collectors.
  No other historical medal is in more popular or in greater demand among collectors. It has the honor of being brought forth by one of America's Founding Fathers, and became the inspiration for some our most popular and beautiful first historic coinage designs. The strike is full with all of the major designs clear and sharp in detail. The reverse is particularly clean and sharp with just a few trivial faint rim bumps, having no major detractions while displaying even overall color and pleasing eye appeal. This "classic" Early American historic medal is a desirable example for any American Revolutionary War and/or Medal collection. A popular medal most certain to exceed our modest estimate range.
  We ship what we sell.
  The Libertas Americana medal is a highly significant and iconic medal from the American Revolution, personally conceived by Benjamin Franklin. Although dated 1781, it was actually struck at the Paris Mint in 1783 to commemorate the American victories at the Battles of Saratoga (1777) and Yorktown (1781), and the subsequent alliance with France.
  The medal was designed based on sketches by Esprit-Antoine Gibelin and engraved by Augustin Dupr.
  Obverse: Features a bust of Lady Liberty with flowing hair, facing left, with a Phrygian cap (freedman's cap) on a pole over her shoulder, symbolizing freedom. Below the bust is the date "4 JUIL. 1776," the date of American Independence. The design later inspired the Liberty Cap design used on early U.S. half cents and large cents in the 1790s.
  Reverse: Depicts an infant Hercules (representing the young United States) in his cradle, strangling two serpents (representing the British armies of Burgoyne and Cornwallis, defeated at Saratoga and Yorktown respectively). A standing female figure of Minerva (the Roman goddess of wisdom and war, representing France, indicated by a shield with the French royal fleur-de-lis) defends the infant from a pouncing British lion.
  The reverse legend reads, "NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS," a line from Horace meaning, "Not without gods is the infant courageous," acknowledging France's indispensable role in securing American victory. In the exergue are the dates of the key American victories: "17 OCT. 1777" (Saratoga) and "19 OCT. 1781" (Yorktown).
  The Libertas Americana medal is considered one of the most important and historically significant medals in American numismatics, highly sought after by collectors. Original examples command high prices at auction, often reaching tens, or in Silver, hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the metal and condition.
  
  
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