Americas most famous medal is the LIBERTAS AMERICANA MEDAL, originally struck in 1782 at the Paris Mint by dies engraved by Augustin Dupre, from a concept & mottoes proposed by Benjamin Franklin. Franklin had been in France since 1776 trying to secure aid for the colonists & became the 1st American minister to France. The medal is a declaration of American freedom & commemorates two famous battles, Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga, NY, & Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown, VA. The obverse depicts Lady Liberty with flowing hair & a liberty cap on a pole in the background (a design later copied on early American coppers). The reverse depicts the Roman goddess Minerva (France) protecting Baby America (Hercules strangling two snakes) from the British Lion. The symbolism & artistry of this medal make it an iconic piece of Americana. It is estimated that only about 125 bronze medals exist & maybe 25 silver specimens exist today. About 35 years ago I had an opportunity to buy a beautiful bronze specimen that would have graded a strong MS65 for $4,500, but I hemmed & hawed for a couple of days & decided not to. To this day I regret that decision . April 25 of this year Heritage auctioned an NCG MS65 example pictured below for $50,400 ! Several years ago to placate my stupidity for not buying that original for $4,500 I bought a gold restrike from the Paris Mint, #390 from an issue of 500, 64 gm, .920 fine, 45.86 mm, pictured below. I love my gold restrike but will never forget that lost opportunity....
I don't collect medals at all, but an attractive original Libertas Americana is high on my fantasy list. I keep considering saving up for one, but they aren't cheap.
An AU-58 just sold for $13000. That is surprisingly much cheaper than a halfway-decent chain cent. But don’t kick yourself too hard. I know someone who owned one of the proof draped bust dollars in the 1970’s. He sold it for $1500 or so. Look what it’s worth today.
The bloody mint was supposed to produce a replica of this medal back during the bicentennial (Americas First Medals), but they didn't follow through. I was much disappointed at the time.
