THE LIBERTY Medallion II Necklace

The 2018 Lady Liberty Coin designed by Justin Kuntz is the first officially recognized historical depiction created by the United States of America representing a free African American woman. Kuntz is said to have taken inspiration for the coin’s design from the Statue of Freedom, a statue that was originally sculpted to depict a free, formerly enslaved woman wearing a Roman liberty cap -an Ancient Roman symbol of emancipation. The sculpture was designed by Thomas Crawford, cast and assembled by an enslaved African American named Phillip Reid, and erected by free, formerly enslaved African American men in 1836.

In addition, the medallion’s inclusion in our collection commemorates the original Statue of Liberty gifted to America by France in 1886 in acknowledgement of the abolition of slavery. The original statue, designed by French abolitionist Édouard de Laboulaye, is believed to have had features that resembled an African American woman holding a torch in one hand and broken chains in the other.

Both significant commissioned works were modified to remove allegories to the liberty of black people in the United States. The 2018 Lady Liberty Coin commissioned by the United States Mint marks a step forward in the diversification of official representations of Liberty for the nation. Our use of this commemorative medallion features Lady Liberty on one side and a blank surface on the other suitable for Engraving.

Metal Info & Care

Available in: Sterling Silver, 18K Gold Vermeil (18K Gold over Sterling Silver), Solid 10K, 14K, and 18K Gold.

Made with fairly sourced African gold, recycled, and conflict-free fine metals.

Coin measures 30mm in diameter. Link Chain.

Contact us for custom metals (i.e. solid white gold, and solid rose gold) at sales@omiwoods.com

All orders are individually and ethically handmade and ship in 3-5 weeks. There may be unanticipated delays. We thank you for your patience at this time.