Liberia, Independence Declared, 1847, a copper medal by W.J. Taylor, ship sailing right, plough and implements of agriculture below, palm-tree at right, dove with scroll in its beak above, the love of liberty brought us here, rev. first president j.j. roberts, etc, 42mm. Very fine and extremely rare (£200-300)

Joseph Jenkins Roberts (1809-76), a native of Petersburg, Virginia, emigrated to Liberia at the age of 20. He became a merchant and unofficial aide to Thomas Buchanan (1808-41), governor of the colony, succeeding Buchanan on his death on 3 September 1841. Formally appointed governor on 20 January 1842 and the first black man to serve in this post, he was elected president of the new republic of Liberia on 3 January 1848, serving until January 1856. He served a second term as president from January 1872 until shortly before his death in February 1876