“THIS COIN STRUCK FROM PARTS OF THE FRIGATE CONSTELLATION THE FIRST SHIP OF THE US NAVY” is Printed on the reverse.
The coin is about the size of a US Half Dollar and is a very interesting Commemorative coin, that comes with a bit of mystery and historical debate.
At face value this is a U.S. Frigate Constellation Commemorative Coin, which was the First Ship of the U.S. Navy. The metal used to strike this coin is from parts of the ship that are well over 150+ years old. These coins were struck to raise money for the restoration of the ship that currently resides in the Harbor of Baltimore, which has the same name as the first ship in US Navy and is historical as well since it was the last ship in the US Navy that was powered by sail.
According to some in 1955 the city of Baltimore started promoting the second ship named Constellation as a rebuild of the original 1797 frigate. The city issued medals and sold them for $1 each to raise money to restore the ship and turn it into a museum. On the reverse of the Constellation medal it states “that was struck from parts of the first ship of the US Navy”.
The Baltimore City promotion caught the attention of historians and started a heated debate. In 1999 the controversy was pretty much put to rest when evidence uncovered during the restoration proved it was the ship launched in 1854 (not 1797). What the city of Baltimore has in their harbor was the 150+ year old sloop-of-war that was a completely new design and built new from the keel up.
Bids are currently be entertained above $19.95 USD, please be sure to include quantity desired and price per coin in the comment area below.
