"In commemoration of the American war, and the independence of America that succeeded it, Dr. Franklin has caused a medal to be struck. It represents Hercules in his cradle, strangling two serpents; a leopard, amazed at his strength, is about to fall upon him; he is repulsed by France, who, under the figure of Minerva, turns her shield, on which are three fleurs de lis, towards him. At bottom are the years 1777 and 1781, epochs of the capitulations of the armies of Burgoyne and Cornwallis, represented by the two serpents. On the other side is Liberty, emblematically portrayed by a fine woman; and in the exurgue, Libertas Americana."