LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 Jan. FUN Signature Coin Auction #454  / 

2651

1781 Libertas Americana Medal AU58 NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:5,100.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1781 Libertas Americana Medal AU58 NGC
<B>1781 Libertas Americana Medal AU58 NGC.</B></I> Betts-615. Bronze. The most famous of all Betts medals, and perhaps the most historically significant, since the obverse motif inspired the Liberty Cap design of the 1793 half cent. Benjamin Franklin commissioned the Libertas Americana medal while serving American diplomatic interests in France.<BR> The Paris Mint struck the medal from dies engraved by Alexander Dupre. The obverse features a youthful bust of Liberty facing left. Her hair flows freely. A Liberty cap, supported by a pole, ascends behind her. The exergue date refers to the Declaration of Independence. On the reverse, valorous France defends the infant America from an aggressive English lion. This leaves America able to vanquish two snakes, which represent the military victories of Saratoga and Yorktown. The legend NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS translates as "The infant is not bold without divine aid."<BR> This well struck golden-brown example has only a whisper of friction on the highpoint of Liberty's hair. The neck and cheek have moderate marks, while the fields are only minimally abraded. A collectible yet attractive example of this legendary medal.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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