(1817-86) Bronze Medal J-NA-4, Capt. Bainbridge USS Constitution War of 1812

Coin Details

Description

The circa 1817-1886 bronze naval medal cataloged as Julian NA-4 honors Captain William Bainbridge for his command of USS Constitution during her victory over HMS Java on December 29, 1812, off the coast of Brazil. The engagement lasted approximately two hours, with Constitution reducing the Java to a dismasted wreck. Bainbridge was twice wounded during the battle but remained in command throughout. The obverse features Bainbridge's portrait in naval dress. The reverse carries commemorative imagery of the Constitution-Java engagement during the War of 1812. The broad 1817-1886 date range indicates this bronze duplicate was produced during one of several restrike periods. Bainbridge's naval career was marked by extreme reversals of fortune. He had previously suffered the humiliation of surrendering the frigate Philadelphia to Tripolitan forces in 1803, an event that led to the Philadelphia's burning by Stephen Decatur. The Constitution's victory over Java redeemed Bainbridge's reputation and demonstrated that the Constitution's earlier victories under Hull and Decatur were not flukes but reflections of American naval superiority in frigate combat.

Rarity Notes

Bronze duplicates produced across the 1817-1886 restrike period. Bainbridge's mixed reputation makes his medal somewhat less sought than Hull's or Decatur's versions.

Cross References

Julian NA-4; PCGS #886471