French American Liberty Medal
- 40 mm in diameter
- Made of 999 Pure 24K Fine Gold
- Weighs 43 grams
- Mintage: 1776
- COA Number: 0348
Re-issuance of the most famous and historic of all medals- celebrating the revolution of Americann independence from British occupation.
Originally struck by Monnaie de Paris in 1783
Design: Founding Father Benjamin Franklin commissioned the Libertas Americana medal to mark the new nation’s victories against the British in battles at Saratoga and Yorktown.
At the time, Franklin was serving as the United States’ minister to France; without French military and naval support against the British, victory may not have been possible.
The battles were fought almost exactly four years apart, Saratoga occurring on Oct. 17, 1777, and Yorktown on Oct. 19, 1781.
Both dates appear on the medal’s reverse while America’s Independence Day, July 4, 1776, appears on its obverse.
Designed by French artist Esprit-Antoine Gibelin and sculpted by Augustin Dupre, the medal’s obverse depicts Lady Liberty with her hair flowing in the wind alongside a freedom cap on a pole.
The medal’s reverse depicts an infant strangling two serpents, a call back to the myth of Hercules and also representing the twin battles of Saratoga and Yorktown. Alongside the child, the goddess Minerva keeps a lion at bay, symbolizing France’s assistance in fighting the British.
Comes in original blue felt box with COA
See pics for full details.