Short Description:
A rare, historic medal commissioned by Benjamin Franklin will be used for the Super Bowl 60 coin toss, tying sports history to America’s 250th anniversary.
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1 minute, 30 seconds
Main Article:
Before kickoff in Super Bowl 60, a unique piece of financial and national history will take the field. The NFL has chosen a modern restrike of the Libertas Americana medal, originally commissioned by Benjamin Franklin in 1783, to conduct the coin toss between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. This selection celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and offers a profound link between American sports, history, and numismatics—the study of coins and currency.
The original medal, a key artifact in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s numismatic collection, was designed to honor France’s crucial role in the American Revolution. Its “heads” side features the profile of Lady Liberty, while its “tails” depicts the goddess Minerva shielding the infant Hercules from a lion—a symbol of France protecting the young United States from Britain. The medal used on Sunday, a silver restrike produced by the Paris Mint in 2015 and engraved with the NFL shield, will be donated to the Smithsonian after the game to join the numismatic collection of 1.6 million objects.
For curator Ellen Feingold, this moment brings her life’s work to a global audience of tens of millions. The brief ceremony is more than a procedural start to the game; it’s a chance to reflect on liberty as a founding American ideal. The NFL’s choice demonstrates how historical artifacts can transcend museums to become part of contemporary national culture. By embedding this Benjamin Franklin medal into one of the world’s most-watched sporting events, the moment connects modern spectators directly with the tangible symbols of the nation’s revolutionary past and enduring values.
Short Summary:
The Super Bowl 60 coin toss will feature a historic Libertas Americana medal restrike, commissioned by Benjamin Franklin, to mark America’s 250th anniversary. This fusion of sports and history highlights the Smithsonian’s vast numismatic collection and uses a national moment to reflect on the enduring symbol of Lady Liberty. The medal will find a permanent home in the National Museum of American History after the game.
