USS CONSTELLATION Centennial Diamond Jubilee coin

commemorative coin

Centennial Diamond Jubilee silver coin commemorating the frigate USS CONSTELLATION. Obverse has starboard bow view of ship "CONSTELLATION/ SEPT. 7, 1797" with legend around border "PER MARE, INVICTUS MANEO/ OLDEST SHIP OF THE U.S. NAVY". Reverse features spread eagle perched on monument, dates "1797/ 1972", with legend around border "CENTENNIAL DIAMOND JUBILEE/ BY ACT OF CONGRESS". Initialed "SJW" beneath dates. Coin was placed under mast of 1980 America's Cup defender FREEDOM, and is bent and creased on one edge.