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Medal Name: Libertas Americana (Surrender of the British Armies at Saratoga and at Yorktown)
Struck by: Benjamin Franklin
OBVERSE
LIBERTAS AMERICANA. (American liberty.)
The head of a beautiful maiden, facing the left, with dishevelled hair floating in the wind, and with the rod of liberty surmounted by the Phrygian cap on her right shoulder.
Exergue: 4 JUIL. (sic) 1776. (4 Julii, 1776: July 4, 1776.)
REVERSE
NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS.
(The courageous child was aided by the gods.) The infant Hercules (America), in his cradle, is strangling two serpents, while Minerva (France) stands by, helmeted, and with spear in her right hand, ready to strike a leopard (England) whose attacks she wards off with her shield decked with the lilies of France.
Exergue: 17/19 OCT. 1777/1781. (17/19 Octobris 1777/1781: 17/19 October, 1777/1781.)
BACKGROUND
This medal was not voted by Congress, but was ordered by Benjamin Franklin, in commemoration of the surrenders of Lieutenant-General Burgoyne and of General Lord Cornwallis.
Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston.
Passy, March 4, 1782.
To the Honourable
Robert R. Livingston
Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
Sir:
This puts me in mind of a medal I have had a mind to strike since the late great event you gave me an account of, representing the United States by the figure of an infant Hercules in his cradle, strangling the two serpents; and France by that of Minerva, sitting by as his nurse, with her spear and helmet, and her robes pecked with a few "fleurs-de-lis". The extinguishing of two entire armies in one war is what has rarely happened, and it gives a presage of the future force of our growing empire....
With great esteem,
B. Franklin
Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston.
Passy, April 15, 1783.
To the Honourable
Robert R. Livingston
Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
Sir:
I have caused to be struck here the medal which I formerly mentioned to you, the design of which youseemed to approve. I enclose one in silver for the President of Congress and one in copper for yourself. The impression on copper is thought to appear best; and you will soon receive a number for the members. I have presented one to the King and another to the Queen, both in gold; and one in silver to each of the ministers, as a monumental acknowledgment, which may go down to future ages, of the obligations we are under to this nation. It is mighty well received, and gives general pleasure. If the Congress approve of it, as I hope they will, I may add something on the die (for those to be struck hereafter) to shew that it was done by their order, which I could not venture to do till I had authority for it.
With the greatest respect, I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,
B. Franklin
Source: The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by J. F. Loubat, LL.D. (1878)