206 years ago today - Francis Scott Key pens “The Star-Spangled Banner”

1630Boston

The poem was printed in newspapers and eventually set to the music of a popular English drinking tune

post any US coin that you like.

On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key pens a poem which is later set to music and in 1931 becomes America’s national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The poem, originally titled “The Defence of Fort M'Henry,” was written after Key witnessed the Maryland fort being bombarded by the British during the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the sight of a lone U.S. flag still flying over Fort McHenry at daybreak, as reflected in the now-famous words of the “Star-Spangled Banner”: “And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”

Francis Scott Key was born on August 1, 1779, at Terra Rubra, his family’s estate in Frederick County (now Carroll County), Maryland. He became a successful lawyer in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and was later appointed U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.

On June 18, 1812, America declared war on Great Britain after a series of trade disagreements. In August 1814, British troops invaded Washington, D.C., and burned the White House, Capitol Building and Library of Congress. Their next target was Baltimore.

After one of Key’s friends, Dr. William Beanes, was taken prisoner by the British, Key went to Baltimore, located the ship where Beanes was being held and negotiated his release. However, Key and Beanes weren’t allowed to leave until after the British bombardment of Fort McHenry. Key watched the bombing campaign unfold from aboard a ship located about eight miles away. After a day, the British were unable to destroy the fort and gave up. Key was relieved to see the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry and quickly penned a few lines in tribute to what he had witnessed.

The poem was printed in newspapers and eventually set to the music of a popular English drinking tune called “To Anacreon in Heaven” by composer John Stafford Smith. People began referring to the song as “The Star-Spangled Banner” and in 1916 President Woodrow Wilson announced that it should be played at all official events. It was adopted as the national anthem on March 3, 1931.

post any US coin that you like

1630Boston

Bullsitter

CommemDude

I wonder why , long before the war started, someone put this coin away in a drawer and did not spend it

AlexinPA

@CommemDude said:
I wonder why , long before the war started, someone put this coin away in a drawer and did not spend it

Beautiful coin and an interesting question about it. 50 cents went a long way then.

ricko

A great song indeed....and a coin that was there when recognized as appropriate accompaniment to official events. Cheers, RickO

drddm

An 1814 CBH to mark a truly great year for our country!

Dave

Nysoto

US Mint coiner Adam Eckfeldt signed a contract on August 13, 1813:

“I agree to have executed for the Commissioner of Revenue eighteen sets of dies from original dies and hubs of the denomination specified in paper, marked A, so as to make strong and permanent impressions, without breaking or impairing the texture of the paper, and so as to suit the presses made by me and now in possession of the government of the U.S. On each of the dies there will be inserted the value of the stamp with an Eagle bearing a shield, the form or position of which to be so varied that no two dies shall correspond. The whole work shall be finished in an artist-like manner." (NARA US Treasury records)

Eckfeldt forged and turned the revenue stamp dies, and John Reich engraved them. They were used to raise funds for the War of 1812, a total of $1,477,067.08 was collected from all States (you won't find this in the history books on the War of 1812):

Stooge

@drddm said:
An 1814 CBH to mark a truly great year for our country!

Dave

I've been on these boards for years and have seen thousands of pics over the years, but this one made me really think. There is something about this coin that speaks to me. Your photography skills on this half are absolutely killer!
Thank you so much for posting it.

1630Boston

drddm

@Stooge said:

I've been on these boards for years and have seen thousands of pics over the years, but this one made me really think. There is something about this coin that speaks to me. Your photography skills on this half are absolutely killer!
Thank you so much for posting it.

Thank you, but I have to give credit where credit is due.
The pic is actually a true view, so kudos to Phil Arnold and his incredible talent taking photos of our coins.

Dave

coinbuf

thisistheshow

AUandAG

The whole story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaxGNQE5ZLA

DrDarryl

I attended the release ceremony of the 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative coins at Fort McHenry.

I normally don't collect modern US Mint coins, however I purchased one each of the gold and silver commemorative coins. Then I submitted them to NGC (after a short phone discussion with NGC on the intent of these coins). You can read about these coins at https://coins.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=9738 The video shows the ceremony and later the individuals in line to purchase the coins (I'm in that line).

The release ceremony gold coins were limited to 16 (10 proof and 6 uncirculated). I donated these NGC graded/encapsulated coins to Fort McHenry and have been a permanent part of their museum collection since 2012.

I also made a video to show the donations to my family, relatives, and friends of the donation. As one of the curators mentioned, your name (Dr. & Mrs. Darryl A. Gomez) and gift will be in the collection “for all prosperity”.

There is a newspaper clipping showing the inventory of both the gold and silver coins being sold at the ceremony in this YouTube video. This was our (wife and I) second "legacy donation" to a museum.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=DbCaN7OfZgA

golden

If you are ever in the area take time to visit Fort McHenry.

Kccoin

1630Boston

1630Boston