Naval history buffs have cause for celebration in September, as one of our nation’s first warships celebrates the 200th anniversary of its launch. The 36-gun frigate U.S.S. Constellation, a contemporary of the U.S.S. Constitution (AKA "Old Ironsides"), was launched from the shipyards of Baltimore, Maryland on September 7, 1797. The ship is 179 feet long with a maximum beam of 41 feet, and displaces 1,400 tons.
The ship has played many roles during its 200 year history. From victorious warship during our undeclared naval war with France from 1798 to 1800 (she earned victories over the French frigates L'Insurgente and Vengeance), to slave trade interdiction specialist during the Civil War for the Union (she made the first Union Naval capture off the coast of Africa), from U.S. Navy training vessel at the turn of the century, to a present day tourist attraction in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore -- indeed, the Constellation has served us well.
Though I am unaware of any coins or medals being issued to mark this bicentennial anniversary, the Constellation has not gone uncelebrated in U.S. numismatic history. Many medals and tokens have been issued to honor the ship, but I am aware of only one that was struck by the U.S. Mint. It was struck to mark the ship’s 175th anniversary back in 1972, and was sponsored by the Constellation Restoration Committee. Funds raised from the sale of the medals helped pay for much needed restorations of the ship.
The medal was available in both silver and bronze, and in both small (1-5/16") and large (3") sizes; the large medals were struck in high relief and are quite impressive! Mintage figures for the set show 15,000 small silver medals, just 400 large silver medals, and 2,000 large bronze medals. A handful of small gold medals were also struck for presentation to VIPs.
The large bronze medal sold for $25.00, the large silver for $95.99. The small silver medal was available individually for $10.00, or in a navy blue (What else?) velvet presentation case for $12.00. It was also available as part of a first day cover (FDC) canceled on board the ship on September 7, 1972; the FDC was priced at $12.00.
The medal was designed by Donald F. Stewart of the Constellation Restoration Committee, and sculpted by Sherl J. Winter of the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia.
The Constellation under full sail, firing a shot into the wind is the central design element of the medal’s obverse. The ship is encircled by the inscription "Per Mare, Invictus Maneo
· Oldest Ship of the U.S. Navy". The Latin portion of the inscription translates to "At Sea, I Was Invincible." The ship’s name and launch date are also featured.
The reverse of the medal features a symbolic American War Eagle holding an anchor in its claws, surmounting the dates "1797/1972". The eagle is perched between the Globes Celestial and Terrestrial, and is encircled by 15 stars and the inscription "Centennial Diamond Jubilee
· By Act of Congress".The ship is currently in dry dock in Baltimore awaiting another massive restoration effort that will, hopefully, return the ship to its mid-1800’s glory as a 22-gun sloop-of-war. If you’d like to learn more about the Constellation, and possibly lend your financial support to the restoration efforts, check out the U.S.S. Constellation web site at www.constellation.org.