TheLibertas Americana was a medal made to commemorate theAmerican Revolution. It was designed in part byBenjamin Franklin.[1]
A Libertas Americana was showcased on season 15 of the American reality television seriesPawn Stars. It was sold for 150,000 dollars.[2]
The medal was originally conceived by Benjamin Franklin after being asked to create a monument in honor of theSiege of Yorktown. Franklin outlined his idea in a letter toRobert Livingston on 4 March 1782.[3] The reverse design was further developed by Esprit-Antoine Gibelin andAugustin Dupré.[4]The coin was minted in copper, silver and a couple of gold. The gold medals were lost in theFrench Revolution and were never found.
The obverse of the medal features the goddessLiberty. Beside her is a pole adorned with aPhrygian cap. The reverse features the infantHercules representing theUnited States being attacked by alion representing theUnited Kingdom. The infant, who is shown strangling two snakes, is being protected byAthena who representsFrance.[4][5] The reverse includes the motto NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS, fromHorace's ode "Descende coelo", which translates to "The infant is not bold without the aide of the gods."
According to the historical record, the brainchild for the medal and its designs was none other than Benjamin Franklin.
