The Royal Canadian Mint have launched (9th May) three new coins which remember one of the battles during the War of 1812 which was considered a turning point in favor of the Royal Navy against American forces.
On June 1, 1813, HMS Shannon, commanded by Captain Philip Broke, clashed with USS Chesapeake just 18 miles 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. 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.
This epic scene of the height of battle is dramatically recreated by artist John Horton on three new coins, one gold, one silver and a very limited platinum issue beautifully preserving this turning point in history. The reverse design, uniform on all three coins includes an intricately sculpted rendition of these extraordinary tall ships, painstakingly depicted to the smallest detail whilst in the midst of battle, each ship, just yards away from one another with sailors shooting muskets and waving swords, its decks ablaze and gun-ports destroyed. The text “THE SHANNON AND THE CHESAPEAKE” (in both English and French) can be seen at the very top of the coin and the commemorative date “1813 – 2013” is placed just under the design towards the middle.
|
Denomination |
Metal |
Weight |
Diameter |
Quality |
Mintage |
|
500 Dollars |
.999 gold |
5 oz. 156.05 gr. |
60 mm. |
Proof |
200 pieces |
|
300 Dollars |
platinum |
1 oz. 31.1 gr. |
30 mm. |
Proof |
250 pieces |
|
50 Dollars |
silver |
5 oz. 157.6 gr. |
65 mm. |
Proof |
1500 pieces |
On the obverse, is the well-known Canadian designed portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II, sculpted by Susanna Blunt and in use on Canadian circulation and commemorative coinage since 2003. The background surface behind the portrait is textured on both the gold and silver issues. The insignia for the war of 1812 bicentenary is seen just under the Queen’s portrait.
For more information on these and other coins offered by the Royal Canadian Mint, please visit their website at: http://www.mint.ca/store/template/home.jsp Information is offered in English & French, international orders fulfilled.
All I can say is that this is a disgusting coin to be issued by Canada since the USA was trying to defend itself against a second British attempt to destroy our country in its infancy. The war was totally the fault of the British government which was bent on impressing American seamen into the British navy – piracy and kidnapping on the high seas. The British also set fire to our nation’s White House. They also encouraged and supported Indian attacks against territories held by the USA, which became USA lands after the War of Independence was concluded with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. I have never been a fan of this decadent country which has had to beg the USA twice to save it from Germany in two world wars. The Canadian government should be ashamed of themselves for issuing such a disparaging coin against the United States. I though they were a friendly nation – they are the only country to have an embassy on Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, DC. I think they should be forced to move their embassy somewhere else, maybe next to the UK embassy, since they still act like they are a colony of Great Britain. SHAME ON CANADA!!! Maybe the USA can issue a Battle of New Orleans coin in 2015 to commemorate the absolute rout the British suffered while trying to attack Andrew Jackson and the Americans during the closing days of this totally unnecessary war.
I think what’s important to remember about this or any coin which is issued by any specific country outside your own is, there may indeed be disparaging differences as to how history is remembered or perceived. If you live in the UK, you may be taught that the American colonies seceded from the Crown without the consent of the King – and the war which ensued was to preserve the union that had existed for many years. Of course, if you grow up in the US… that definition as to why the Americans declared their independence from a Crown in which there were among some valid grievances such as taxation without representation and what was perceived as a tyrannical administration are ingrained in every child attending school in the US. The American declaration of Independence spells this out in its entirety eloquently and gloriously written by Thomas Jefferson.
The Canadian coin I believe seeks to remember the side of what was then British North America and their part in the war of 1812 which – although they lost – insomuch as US independence was upheld – there were still some significant anniversaries which are simply a part of Canadian history, and this battle is one of them. I am confident that neither Washington, London nor Ottawa took any offence during the bicentenary remembrance of this historic anniversary and war which was indeed remembered on both sides of the border – the US and Canada have a close relationship which most countries in other parts of the world surely envy, I would say the same of the special relationship which exists from former adversaries the US and the UK as both countries have demonstrated their willingness to stand shoulder to shoulder in recent world events.