HMS Surprise Challenge Coin

A beautiful 1.5 inch brass coin. The ship now known as HMS Surprise began life in 1970 as a replica of the 18th century Royal Navy frigate Rose. During the next 30 years Rose sailed thousands of miles as an attraction vessel and sail training ship prior to her conversion to HMS Surprise. For the academy award winning film, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, the filmmakers made a painstaking effort to recreate a 24 gun frigate specific to Great Britain’s Nelson era Royal Navy. The result is a replica vessel unmatched in its authenticity and attention to detail.

Surprise found a new home at the Maritime Museum of San Diego in 2004. A popular shoreside attraction, the ship was sailed 4 times in 2007 and now sails several times a year, frequently along the Star of India and Californian.

The HMS Surprise is now at the museum and open to the public.

OPTIONAL: Our Air-Tite acrylic cases provide the ultimate long-term protection for your coin. They are made of crystal clear, hard Acrylic and will never yellow over time; the foam rings are made of Volara and both are free of PVC that could damage your coin.