I have had this, what I thought was just a paperweight that was given to me by my great grandfather, sense I was not even 6 years old. It was always really interesting to me so I kept it this whole time but never really looked into it. Can anyone tell me more information about this? I would really appreciate and insight on history, value ect.
Very nice and can interesting medal, a bicentennial piece. You should be glad your great grandfather gave it to you. Welcome to CT.
That's interesting. In 2017 the US MINT released (I bought one) the same 3 inch wide medal. https://catalog.usmint.gov/us-navy-bicentennial-bronze-medal-3-inch-534.html
It is my guess that it was produced by a private mint, not the US Mint. I'm not sure if the initials "HR" refers to the name of the mint or the person who designed it. Chris
Will you check yours on the "eagle" side and see if there is doubling in the wording " birth of the United States Navy October 13th 1975"... I can't tell if what I'm seeing is doubling or if it is struck that way to add definition to some of the lettering
Also I'm curious, would it be possible that a private mint Struck it previous to 2017 and then the u.s. mint picked it up and and also minted it? Or is there any information that the u.s. mint struck these prior to 2017 and then 2017 did a re-release because this is most definitely struck before 2017 my Grandpa died in 2011 and im nearly 30 and had it for much longer than that
The US Mint first made these in 1975. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-89/pdf/STATUTE-89-Pg602.pdf
Very interesting medal. The ships on the back appear to be a ballistic missile submarine, the USS Enterprise (the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier), and the USS Bainbridge (the first nuclear powered destroyer).
I see no doubling in hand. The medal is in a thick plastic bag and the angular lighting is deceiving in the attached pictures.
I think it's the coolest medal as it has my 3 favorite things to see on a coin (1) eagle , (2) ships and (3) aircraft.
