This coin was minted in 1958 to fund restoration of Cruiser Olympia. The coins were advertised as "made from the actual propellers of Admiral Dewey's Flagship."
Cruiser Olympia (C-6) is the oldest remaining steel ship afloat, built during a transformative time in American culture, science, and technology. Rising to fame as Commodore (later Admiral) George Dewey’s flagship during the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898, the ship served in various capacities during her time in service, including as a training vessel and providing humanitarian relief in the Adriatic. Her last act of service, before being decommissioned, was to bring home the American Unknown Soldier from World War I from Le Havre, France, to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.