Coin under the Mainmast

LAWMAN

I was reading some old 'The Numismatist' magazines from the 1909-1910 period that I bought on E-Bay and there was an article about the fact (said the author) that in the 19th century, when they used to build a ship, to christen the ship, they would place a coin of the date the ship was completed under the Mainmast (not exactly sure on the anatomy of 19th century sailing ships there). Anybody ever heard of this or ever see any such coins retrieved later?

paigowjohnny

Yes...this is a tradition that is followed to this day. Historically it's been a gold coin. I believe when they were ready to "land" the island superstructure of the carrier RONALD REAGAN during her construction...they spotted a gold American Eagle on the deck before the island module was spotted. You can imagine that it is probably crushed beyond all recognition.

Not aware of anybody going back to retrieve after the ship went to the breakers...

Cam40

I think our lordmarcovan probably wears one on his holed-coin vest.

Hes quite the man-about-town with his top hat and all....

dorkkarl

i heard they only use slabed gold coins these days. wouldn't want to have the wrong grade on there!

K S

Wardhaines

It was/is a common practice for good luck. It is also done when building a home where usuall a penny is placed either in the mantle or above the front door (heads up) for good luck. I gutted my living room and am replacing the mantle an will put a 2003 uncirculated mint set inside the mantle.

Conder101

The placing of coins below the mast of ships dates back to ancient Greece. Burial custom required the placement of a coin in the mouth of the dead to pay Charon for ferying the soul of the dead across the river Styx to Hades. The souls of the dead without coins were condemned to wander the banks of the Styx for a hundred years. The problem of how to provide the coin for those who died at sea was covered by placing the coins below the mast of the ship. The tradition still continues today. When the USS Constitution was in dry dock for renovations back in the ninties, coins dating back to the 1790's were found below the mast. When the mast was replaced the original coins were returned and additional coins (I believe including a current year proof set) were added.

cladking

Even small ships with masts often will have the coins. A yacht's mast is held up by
a pin which allows it to rotate down to the deck and there is a cavity under it. This
is where the coins are placed. They come out undamaged.

kieferscoins

<< <i>When the USS Constitution was in dry dock for renovations back in the ninties, coins dating back to the 1790's were found below the mast. When the mast was replaced the original coins were returned and additional coins (I believe including a current year proof set) were added. >>



We talked about this a few days ago in our type coin class. Frank Van Valen who now is with American Numismatic rarities was the numismatist sent by Bowers and merena to inspect the coins when the mast was opened. He found a variety of coins all with a slight curvature from the slight rocking of the mast over time. Each coin was placed back into their spots (you could see the imprint after the coins were taken out) and a 1992 washington quarter was added. No proof sets.

Cameron Kiefer