Today, August 8th, the United States Mint released the U.S. Navy Bronze Medal, available for $20. Designs on the new medal pay tribute to the United States Navy, and have already appeared on the previously issued Navy 2.5- and 1-ounce silver medals.
This medal serves as the bronze counterpart to those U.S. Navy Silver Medals and is issued under the Mint’s multi-year Armed Forces series, a collection designed to pay tribute to all six branches of the U.S. military: the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force. To date, the complete silver and bronze medal program has seen eleven releases including today’s piece:
- Air Force 2.5 Ounce Silver Medal – released July 13, 2021
- Coast Guard 2.5 Ounce Silver Medal – released August 17, 2021
- Navy 2.5 Ounce Silver Medal – released March 11, 2022
- Marine Corps 2.5 Ounce Silver Medal – released July 15, 2022
- Air Force 1 Ounce Silver Medal – released August 16, 2022
- Coast Guard 1 Ounce Silver Medal – released September 26, 2022
- Air Force Bronze Medal – released November 29, 2022
- Army 2.5 Ounce Silver Medal– released March 6, 2023
- Coast Guard Bronze Medal – released May 11, 2023
- Navy 1 Ounce Silver Medal – released July 17, 2023
As shown, the Navy was celebrated with the 2.5 ounce silver medal in March of 2022 and the 1 ounce silver variety just last month.
U.S. Navy Bronze Medal Designs
All three Navy medals bear the same basic imagery on their obverse (heads side) and reverse (tails side). On the obverse, this includes a depiction of the Navy destroyer John Paul Jones shown with the historic U.S.S. Constitution off in the distance. An F-18 Hornet formation can be seen overhead.
Inscriptions on the obverse read "UNITED STATES NAVY" and, lastly, "DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP," which was spoken by mortally wounded Commander James Lawrence to his crew on the U.S.S. Chesapeake during the War of 1812. The design was created by Artistic Infusion Program Designer Donna Weaver with United States Mint Medallic Artist Jay M. Kushwara sculpting.
The reverse design offers a line of sailors manning the rail while the American flag flies in the background. Inscriptions display the Navy’s core values, "HONOR," "COURAGE," and "COMMITMENT." This design is the work of Artistic Infusion Program Designer Steve Ferris with sculpting by United States Mint Medallic Artist John P. McGraw.
Official specifications for the medal, as provided by the U.S. Mint, are as follows:
| Finish: | Matte |
|---|---|
| Composition: | 95% copper, 5% zinc |
| Diameter: | 1.500 in. |
| Edge: | Plain |
| Mint and Mint Mark: | N/A |
| Privy Mark: | None |
| Design: | Obverse Designer: Donna Weaver, Artistic Infusion Program Designer Obverse Sculptor: Jay M. Kushwara, United States Mint Medallic Artist Reverse Designer: Steve Ferris, Artistic Infusion Program Designer Reverse Sculptor: John P. McGraw, United States Mint Medallic Artist |
| Struck Under Authority of: | 31 U.S.C. § 5111(a)(2) |
Ordering
The Navy Bronze Medal may be purchased directly from the U.S. Mint via their online store for military medals along with other Armed Forces Medals. No mintage, product or household order limits are in place.
Kaiser,
Yes…And they don’t have a Mint mark, and no presentation box & no COA or description card! Numerous private Mint’s strike the same type & quality as these medals in bronze & even pure copper & most coin dealers sell newly struck ones for about $3 each & still make a profit.
NumisdudeTX
Major D,
So true! I wouldn’t mind paying the Mint $10 if there was a nice history card/COA included.
NumisdudeTX
Maybe because some people are allergic to shellfish
Collecting is not always PROFIT motivated. If someone served in the USN or other branches of the military, there are other reasons to collect other than profit.
This medal would make a great 50 yard target for army soldier. Or playing Frisbee with the neighbor’s dog that keeps barking all night.