Naval Historical Foundation War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Medal

Sailors and history buffs will appreciate this coin honoring the way America’s young navy came of age during the War of 1812, winning a series of stunningly decisive battles against Great Britain on the high seas, the Great Lakes, and the American frontier.

The USS Constitution sails fearlessly on the coin’s obverse as the iconic U.S. Navy warship of the conflict. In her battle with HMS Guerriere, the enemy’s cannonballs were seen to bounce off the Constitution’s hull, causing one of her sailors to shout, “Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!” Undefeated in battle, “Old Ironsides” welcomes visitors in Boston Harbor and remains the oldest commissioned warship afloat.

Many of our nation’s stirring and historic slogans originated in the War of 1812–two appear on this coin. On the obverse is Francis Scott Key’s rousing, “…our flag was still there,” from his poem that became our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” On the reverse, “Don’t give up the ship!” was the rallying cry for the entire Navy during the war. It was the last urging of mortally wounded Captain James Lawrence as his frigate fell to the British, and then was emblazoned on the flag that flew from Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s flagship. You may recall Perry’s famous message after victory on Lake Erie: “We have met the enemy and they are ours.”

Celebrating over two hundred years of keeping the seas free, this coin is minted in the USA from special deep-relief coining dies; struck from solid bronze; and hand-finished with an antique patina for exceptional quality and detail. Minted for the Naval Historical Foundation which has helped preserve and commemorate naval history for nearly 90 years, all Americans can take pride in owning, carrying, or displaying this tribute to the Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who sail in harm’s way in America’s defense.