Rhode Island Ship Tokens
Base
About This Coin
The Rhode Island Ship Tokens group of the Post-1776 Private and Regional Issues (1778-1820) series holds the pieces described below. The Rhode Island ship medal, usually dated to about 1779 or 1780, shows a ship on one side and the withdrawal of American forces from Aquidneck Island in August 1778 on the other (search). The earliest strikes carry the Dutch word VLUGTENDE (fleeing) below the ship; it was later removed and a wreath was put in its place (search). It was long read as a satire on the British fleet, but recent writers argue it was a British medal made for the Dutch market (search). Betts numbers it in the 560s.
Specifications
Strike Types & Varieties(9)
1779 Bronze Medal Rhode Island - "vlugtende" Below Ship Betts-561
1779 Medal Rhode Island - No Wreath Below Ship
1779 Medal Rhode Island - No Wreath Below Ship Betts-562
1779 Medal Rhode Island - No Wreath Below Ship Pewter
1779 Medal Rhode Island - Wreath Below Ship Betts-563
1779 Medal Rhode Island - Wreath Below Ship Brass
1779 Medal Rhode Island - Wreath Below Ship Pewter
1779 Medal Rhode Island - Wreath Below Ship Silvered
1779 Rhode Island Ship Token - Vlugtende Removed
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