1976 Medal Libertas Am. Silver Copy of Original Design MS67 认证号27833402, PCGS号509899

During a visit to the Paris Mint in 1958, John J. Ford re-discovered the previously lost original dies for the Libertas Americana Medal in the Mint's Museum "Musee de Monnaies." As the U.S. Bicentennial grew nearer, he suggested to Stanley Applebaum of First Coinvestors that transfer dies be created for a bicentennial commemorative restriking. First Coinvestors funded the project, in exchange for the exclusive rights of the new dies. The dies were expanded to a diameter of 77mm, and the dates were changed on the obverse and reverse dies. Further markings were added to the edge, to designate the restrikes as "COPY OF DESIGN BY BENJAMIN FRANKLIN - ORIGINAL STRUCK IN 1783". Just 500 examples were struck in silver, as in the specimen seen here. Records report that 3 examples were also struck in gold (likely .920 fineness), but none are known today. Presumably, melted for their high bullion value during 1980.