Metal: Silver
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1776.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781. DUPRE F
What to Look For: Originals are sold in Silver and Bronze/Copper. If your example measures 47.5 mm, then you are off to a strong start. If your example is in gold or extremely reflective, then you likely have a modern restrike.
Libertas Americana Medals: An excerpt from the Archangel Collection of Colonial Coins and 1792 Coinage Catalog and the John J. Ford, Jr., Part XIV Catalog
No other medal in the canon of 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 Gates at Saratoga and Washington at Yorktown, are referenced with dates in the reverse exergue.
The Libertas Americana medal was commissioned by Benjamin Franklin as a tribute to American independence. Silver specimens were distributed by Franklin to the president of Congress, members of George III’s government, and the Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, among others. Members of the Continental Congress of 1783 may also have received silver medals, but there is no certainty about this (they may have received bronze medals, instead, Franklin was not definite). The dies were finished in later 1782 and the first medals were struck in 1783.
Silver examples are perhaps 10 times rarer than bronze examples. Having been distributed non-numismatically, many have been mishandled, and examples that are uncirculated are legitimately rare.
Original Strikes
Metal: Copper
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1776.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781. DUPRE F
What to Look For: Originals are sold in Silver and Bronze/Copper. If your example measures 47.5 mm, then you are off to a strong start. If your example is in gold or extremely reflective, then you likely have a modern restrike.
Metal: Bronze
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1776.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781. DUPRE F
What to Look For: Originals are sold in Silver and Bronze/Copper. If your example measures 47.5 mm, then you are off to a strong start. If your example is in gold or extremely reflective, then you likely have a modern restrike.
Metal: Brass
Obverse Text:
None
Reverse Text:
None
What to Look For: This piece is a unique specimen in private hands, and will likely stay that way. However, look for a mirror design that lacks text and finishing elements. The shape of the Trial Hub will likely be a crude circle.
Metal: White Metal
Obverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS.
Reverse Text:
None
What to Look For: Libertas Americana Reverse Clichés are easily distiguishable, as they will only show a design on a single side of the medal. These clichés will also be lacking some text that was included on the final reverse dies.
Metal: Tin
Obverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781. DUPRE F
Reverse Text:
None
What to Look For: This final iteration of the reverse of the Libertas Americana is struck on tin and features all design elements as they will be produced. Splashers were an 18th century “photocopy” that could easily be produced to see how the medal would appear once completed.
Restrikes
Metal: 64 Grams Gold
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1776.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781.
What to Look For: A brilliant 45.8mm restrike of the popular Libertas Americana medal. This one weighs 64 Grams, is struck in gold, and is 0.920 fine. It comes from a limited mintage of only 500 pieces.
Metal: Silver
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1976.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 4 JUIL. 1776. DUPRE F
What to Look For: Shown here is a silver example of the Libertas Americana medal that was restruck for the Bicentennial of the United States of America. This piece trades alters the obverse date to say “1976”. Struck in silver at 77mm. This is a Societe International Des Collectionneurs De Monnaies et Madailles issue
Metal: 64 Grams Gold
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1776.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781. DUPRE F
What to Look For: A 47mm piece is shown here with a weight of just over 2 troy ounces of gold. The purity of this gold comes in at 0.916 fine. Although this restrike was produced at the Paris Mint, you will notice the lack of MdP and a cornucopia on the reverse, a small feature that was added to later strikes.
Metal: 43 Grams Gold
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1776.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781. DUPRE F
What to Look For: This is an official Paris Mint restriking of the Libertas Americana medal in gold. The piece is 40mm is size and comes from a limited mintage of 500 pieces. These are among the more rare gold medals of this series.
Metal: 43 Grams Gold
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1776.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781. DUPRE F
What to Look For: Produced at a weight of just over 1 Troy Ounce, these proof struck gold Libertas Americana medals saw a limited production of just 1776 pieces, and measured 40mm. This restrike lacks some of the deep detail that later issues present.
Metal: 24 Grams Silver
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1776.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781. DUPRE F
What to Look For: A rather small restrike example that is 40mm in size, but only 24 grams in weight. The silver is 0.999 fine. A cornucopia and MdP are located at the bottom of the reverse, unlike the gold version of this same date.
Metal: 43 Grams Gold
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1776.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781. DUPRE F
What to Look For: A Paris Mint restrike in gold dating to the 2006 era. This piece is 40mm and comes from a mintage of only 1776 coins. The Paris Mint marked this coin with a cornucopia and MdP, which are located at the bottom of the reverse.
Metal: 5 Troy Ounce Gold
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1776.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781. DUPRE F
What to Look For: This gold Libertas Americana medal is found in proof condition and weighs five troy ounces. This weight of restrike is the same size as an original medal. A cornucopia and MdP are located at the bottom of the reverse.
Metal: 1 Troy Ounce Gold
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1776.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781. DUPRE F
What to Look For: A cornucopia and MdP are located at the bottom of the reverse, including a 0.999 hallmark. This piece is smaller in size than some of the restrikes, measuring 34mm and weighing in at one pure ounce of gold.
Metal: 5 Troy Ounce Silver
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1776.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781. DUPRE F
What to Look For: This resrtike measures 49mm and is composed of 5 Troy Ounces of silver. Although we do not possess exact numbers, we know that this medal came from a maximum mintage of 10,000 pieces. A cornucopia and MdP are located at the bottom of the reverse.
Metal: 1 Kilogram Silver
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1776.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781. DUPRE F
What to Look For: This later restrike of the Libertas Americana medal is done in 1 Kilo of silver, with a purity of 0.925 fine, or Sterling Silver in otherwords. Quite a large piece at 99mm. A cornucopia and MdP are located at the bottom of the reverse.
Metal: 1 Troy Ounce Silver
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1776.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781. DUPRE F
What to Look For: This one ounce 0.999 fine silver Libertas Americana medal is small is size compared to the other restrikes, with a diameter of 36.5mm. However, at this point in restriking the coins, it is apparent that the Mint had perfected its skill, as this piece retains an incredible amount of detail.
Metal: 1 Troy Ounce Silver
Obverse Text:
LIBERTAS. AMERICANA. 4 JUIL. 1776.
Reverse Text:
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS. 17 OCT. 1777 19 OCT. 1781. DUPRE F
What to Look For: Minting of the Silver Libertas Americana restrikes are still taking place, with this 1 Troy Ounce silver piece being prouced in 2020. It is minted in 0.999 fine silver and features a cornucopia and MdP located at the bottom of the reverse.
