1898 Brass So-Called Dollar HK-286, U.S. Battleship Maine

Coin Details

Description

"Remember the Maine" became the rallying cry when the Spanish American War broke out in April 1898, and this brass medal, HK-286, is built around it. The obverse shows the battleship with "Remember" above and "The Maine" below; the reverse sets four busts, separated by scrolls, in a central circle, framed by "We Did" above and the slogan again below, all within beaded borders. The edge is reeded and the size 35 mm. The ship had exploded in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898; an American inquiry blamed an explosion outside the hull, while the Spanish inquiry pointed to one within. The hulk was finally raised in 1911. Hibler and Kappen could not trace the maker, though they think one or both of the Maine medals may have been struck from the vessel's own metal.

Cross References

HK-286; PCGS #642670; NGC #850501