The Libertas Americana medal is a historically significant medal commissioned by Benjamin Franklin in 1782 to commemorate the American victory in the American Revolutionary War and the crucial alliance with France.
Here’s a breakdown of its key features and importance:
- Benjamin Franklin, while stationed in France during the war, conceived the idea of a medal to express gratitude for French support.
- He intended it to be a symbolic representation of the alliance between the US and France.
- The medal was designed by French engraver Augustin Dupré based on Franklin’s specifications.
- It was struck at the Paris Mint, as the newly formed United States lacked the necessary minting facilities.
- Obverse: Features a depiction of Lady Liberty with flowing hair, facing left, accompanied by a liberty pole and Phrygian cap.
– Inscription: “LIBERTAS. AMERICANA.” and the date “4 JUIL. 1776.” (July 4, 1776, marking American Independence).
- Reverse: Portrays the infant Hercules (representing the United States) strangling two serpents (representing the British armies at Saratoga and Yorktown).
– Minerva (representing France), holding a shield bearing the French Royal “fleur de lys,” defends Hercules from a lion (representing Great Britain).
– Inscription: “NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS” (Latin for “The infant is not bold without the aide of the gods”), along with the dates “17 OCT. 1777” (Battle of Saratoga) and “1781” (Siege of Yorktown).
- The Libertas Americana medal was originally minted in silver and bronze.
- Silver versions are considerably rarer than bronze versions, making them more valuable.
- A very small number were also minted in gold, but these have been lost and never recovered.
- The Libertas Americana medal is considered one of the most famous and cherished medals related to American history.
- Its design, particularly the portrayal of Liberty, influenced early American coinage, including the first US Half Cents.
- It serves as a reminder of the crucial role France played in securing American independence and of the close ties between the two nations during that period.
- The medal continues to be highly prized by numismatists and collectors.
What is the Libertas currency?
Libertas Token’s price today is US$0.00000001644, with a 24-hour trading volume of $N/A. LIBERTAS is +0.00% in the last 24 hours.
What is the history of the Libertas Americana medal?
The Libertas Americana has topped the list of America’s most important medals since 1783. Concerned that Congress was too inexperienced to properly thank France for its critical support during the Revolution, Benjamin Franklin created it on his own account with one of the best engravers in Paris, Augustin Dupré.
What is the Libertas on Roman coins?
LIBERTAS – Liberty is represented in two ways on coins: the one as a woman with a naked head, which is the image of Roman Liberty; the other having her head covered with a veil, and adorned with a diadem, is the effigy of the goddess of liberty, whose temple was on Mount Aventine.
What does non sine diis animosus infans mean?
I can help with that. The motto BF selected for the reverse was from Horace’s Odes, book 3, ode 4, line 20: “Non sine diis animosus infans” ( not without divine help is the infant courageous ).