USS New Hampshire (SSN-778)

USS New Hampshire (SSN-778), a Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, is the fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the state of New Hampshire (though one of her predecessors, BB-70, existed only on paper — authorized, but cancelled before keel laying). The name was awarded to the submarine after a letter-writing campaign by the third-graders from Garrison Elementary School in Dover to their members of Congress, the state governor, and the Secretary of the Navy.

Built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, construction began in January, 2004. A keel-laying ceremony for the submarine was held at Electric Boat’s Quonset Point facility in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, on 30 April 2007. The ship’s sponsor was Cheryl McGuinness of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the widow of Thomas McGuinness, co-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks when the jet was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Launched on 21 February 2008 and christened four months later, on 21 June 2008 in Groton, Connecticut, the New Hampshire was eight months ahead of schedule and $54 million under budget. It is scheduled to begin sea trials the summer of 2008, and is expected to be delivered to the Navy in October, in a ceremony at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.

This coin honors the USS New Hampshire and her crew.

Minted in bronze and given antique finish, imbued with durable and attractive enamel finish.