1779 Medal Rhode Island - Wreath Below Ship Pewter

Coin Details

Description

Struck in pewter and measuring 32 mm in diameter with a plain edge, this Rhode Island Ship medal represents the "Wreath Below Ship" die variety — identifiable by a small wreath ornament positioned beneath the sailing vessel on the obverse. These medals were produced in the Netherlands around 1779 to commemorate the 1778 Battle of Rhode Island, one of the first engagements involving French forces allied with the American cause during the Revolutionary War. The obverse depicts a fleeing British ship, while the reverse presents a map of Narragansett Bay showing the strategic waterway that made Rhode Island's geography central to naval operations. Cataloged as Whitman 8535 and PCGS #585, the pewter composition distinguishes this variety from bronze, brass, and silvered versions struck from the same dies, making it rare within the series. Pewter — a tin-based alloy — was commonly used for medals and tokens in the 18th century due to its low melting point and ease of casting or striking, though pewter specimens are often more difficult to preserve than their copper-alloy counterparts because the metal is softer and more susceptible to environmental degradation. This piece belongs to the Post-1776 Private and Regional Issues (1778-1820) series and occupies an important niche among collectors of Revolutionary War-era commemoratives who seek examples in each distinct metal composition.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Pewter composition.

Cross References

Whitman 8535