Switzerland, Mexico, and the United States

In Mexico and the United States, the ties to — and struggle against — colonial powers are an essential part of the early medallic history of the two countries. This is seen, for example, in the Libertas Americana medal, which was commissioned in 1783 by Benjamin Franklin, then American ambassador to France, to commemorate France’s role in the American War of Independence. A nearly contemporaneous medal celebrating the Spanish queen was produced in Mexico, which achieved independence in 1821. The medal by the Swiss artist Jean Dassier probably represents the first successful execution of partial gilding on a medal.