1783 AE Medal Betts-615, Libertas Americana, BN MS(PCGS#151815)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Commissaire-priseur

Stack's Bowers

Numéro du lot

1017

Grade

AU55BN

Prix

13 200

Description du lot

721.7 grains. The most marquee entry in the canon of early American medals, the Libertas Americana medal has honestly earned its fame and desirability. Struck in April 1783 in Paris at the direct behest of Benjamin Franklin, every Libertas Americana medal was guided into the hands of its recipient by Franklin himself. A substantial parcel of them were sent to Philadelphia, where the Congress of the Confederation met until June 1783, to be distributed to members of that august body. Others were distributed to friends all over Europe and the United States. Most were shiny gems when Franklin performed one of the most important acts of his political career, acting as one of the three American signatories of the Treaty of Paris (alongside Johns Adams and Jay) in September 1783.<p>With its attractive gloss and light brown patina, this piece gives an arm's length impression of a higher grade. Both sides show a scattering of contact marks, somewhat larger and more prominent than usually encountered, along with a few rim nicks and a bruise over the letter L in LIBERTAS. Trivial hairlines are noted on both sides under a glass. This piece was handled a bit less gingerly than some we've seen (perhaps distributed to one of the less sophisticated members of the Continental Congress), but its overall eye appeal is very positive. The part of this medal's history that is known includes a rich cast of legendary characters, but the part of this medal that can only be imagined may be still more interesting.