Obverse: Along the rim, on top, “LA FAYETTE, HEROS DE LA REVOLUTION AMERICAINE” (translated on the reverse: “LA FAYETTE, HERO OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION”). In the center, a portrait of the young General Lafayette. On the left, “1757-1834”. On the right, “RF” for “French Republic”.

Reverse: Along the rim, on top, “LA FAYETTE, HERO OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION”. In the center, the Hermione, Lafayette’s ship. On the right, the face value, “L’HERMIONE”, and the year of issue. At the bottom, the revolutionary flags of France and the United States.

The Marquis de Lafayette (Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier), was dubbed “the hero of two worlds” based on his participation in the Revolutions. Born in 1757, he crossed the Atlantic in 1777 to offer his services to the Continental Congress at Philadelphia. He became a friend of George Washington, and served under him at the Battle of the Brandywine and at Valley Forge.

In 1779, Lafayette returned to France, where he successfully persuaded the French to commit more military aid and to send a military expedition to North America. In the Virginia Campaign of 1781, Lafayette proved to be a good strategist in avoiding defeat while harassing his formidable opponent to withdraw to Yorktown for reinforcements. Lafayette led his American brigade at the siege of Yorktown. Brave in combat and staunch in hardship, Lafayette earned an enduring reputation in America.

In 2002, the US Congress voted to make Lafayette an honorary citizen of the United States. This particular honor places Lafayette among only five others who were similarly honored: Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa, Raoul Wallenberg, and Pennsylvania founder William Penn and his wife, Hannah.