The head represents American Liberty with her hair floating backwards to show that she is marching forward. She is holding her usual emblem, the cap mounted on a pike. Underneath is engraved the date of the 4th of July, 1776, the day that the United States declared themselves an independent, sovereign country.

On the other side, the United States are symbolized by a young Hercules getting up from the shield which, in the version of Theocritus, serves as his cradle. He is smothering with his hands two serpents, emblems of the two British Armies captured at Saratoga and Yorktown. A leopard, representing England, is springing upon the child. Minerva, armed with a shield bearing the arms of France, is coming to his rescue. She symbolizes the generous protection that the King of France offered to America.

The inscription consists of a verse from Horace whose meaning is the following: “It is not without the help of the Gods that the child displays such Courage."

The two dates of October 17th, 1777, and the 19th of the same month, 1781, indicate the respective capitulations of Burgoygne and Cornwallis.

This medal is to serve as a lasting reminder of the events represented as well as a sign of recognition from the United States towards their powerful and generous benefactor.