2013 HMS Shannon and USS Chesapeake silver, gold and platinum coins have been issued by the Royal Canadian Mint to commemorate an important naval battle fought during the War of 1812.
HMS Shannon & USS Chesapeake coins are available in denominations of $50 silver, $500 gold and $300 platinum. Each depicts the same reverse image of an 1812 battle fought between the Shannon and the Chesapeake.
Tension between the United States of America and the British Empire was at its peak during the War of 1812. Not surprisingly, the British colonies of what would become present-day Canada were drawn into the hostilities as their inhabitants fought to preserve their way of life with their ports serving as safe harbors for British war ships.
"On June 1, 1813, HMS Shannon, commanded by Captain Philip Broke, clashed with USS Chesapeake 40 kilometers east of Boston in a battle which would sway the morale of Royal Navy grappling with a string of recent losses to U.S. warships," describes a release from the Royal Canadian Mint.
"Captain Broke and his outnumbered crew’s determination to restore the pride and confidence of the Royal Navy brilliantly defeated and captured USS Chesapeake in one of the bloodiest naval battles of the War of 1812."
Following the capture of the Chesapeake, the British forces brought her to the port of Halifax (in present day Nova Scotia). There she was repaired and reflagged as the HMS Chesapeake.
Designs and Specifications for HMS Shannon & USS Chesapeake Coins
A design by Canadian artist John Horton graces the reverse of each coin. This design shows a scene from the final battle between the HMS Shannon (right) and the USS Chesapeake (left). A bilingual inscription in French and English appears at the top reading "THE/LE SHANNON AND THE/ET LE CHESAPEAKE." Beneath the design, "1813-2013" can be seen.
Susanna Blunt’s effigy of Queen Elizabeth II appears on the obverse of each commemorative. Inscriptions include "ELIZABETH II," "CANADA" and the legal tender face value of the coin. Below the portrait is the insignia for the war of 1812 bicentenary.
Specifications of Commemorative Coins
| $500 Gold Coin | $50 Silver Coin | $300 Platinum Coin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mintage | 200 | 1500 | 250 |
| Composition | 99.99% Gold | 99.99% Silver | 99.95% Platinum |
| Finish | Proof | Proof | Proof |
| Weight (grams) | 156.05 | 157.6 | 31.16 |
| Diameter (mm) | 60 | 65 | 30 |
| Face Value (CAD) | $500 | $50 | $300 |
Each is encapsulated and presented in a maroon Royal Canadian Mint clamshell presentation case. A serialized certificate is also included.
2013 HMS Shannon & USS Chesapeake coins can be ordered directly from the Royal Canadian Mint by calling 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca. Current pricing of the commemoratives is listed as CAD $11,999.95 for the gold coin, $2,999.95 for the platinum coin and $499.95 for the silver. Pricing is subject to change.
Update: The platinum coin is now listed as sold out.
