FINDER OF LIBERTAS MEDAL HAD NO IDEA OF ITS VALUE

ONE of the most famous and sought-after medals relating to American history has been sold for £82,000 in a Tyneside auction which attracted international attention.

- By TONY HENDERSON

The 18th Century silver Libertas Americana medal, made to commemorate the American Revolution, was discovered during a valuation day held in Tynemouth by Newcastle auctioneers Anderson & Garland.

A member of the public brought the 1781 medal to the Tynemouth valuation event, unaware of its importance or value.

The Libertas medal was commissioned by Benjamin Franklin in 1782 and produced in Paris the following year, and commemorates the birth of the United States and the military victories at Saratoga in 1777 and Yorktown in 1781, which secured French support during the American Revolutionary War.