1995 1 Oz USS Whirlwind Commissioning Round BU

Very rare round!  This round was issued to commemorate the commissioning of the USS Whirlwind, a Cyclone class patrol ship.  The ship was commissioned for service on July 1, 1995.  The home port for the ship was in Bahrain.  She was decommissioned on March 21, 2022.  The mint which produced the round is unknown.  The round has a proof-like finish.

Obverse: The central image on the obverse is the crest of the USS Whirlwind.   Each patrol class ship has its distinctive crest.  The Whirlwind's crest is a shield with a sword running from upper left to lower right and a trident running from lower left to upper right.  Emblazoned on the shield is an anchor, the end of which is shaped like a mace.  A banner below the shield reads "SECOND TO NONE".  Above the shield is a left-facing image of a sea serpent.  The upper inscription on the round reads "USS WHIRLWIND"  while the lower one reads "PC 11". 

Reverse: The central feature on the reverse is the commissioning text which reads "COMMISSIONED MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 1 JULY, 1995".  Alternating longer thin bars and shorter wider blocks add decoration along the outer rim.  

Edge: The edge is reeded but at the bottom of the round there is a smooth surface bearing the purity and content description of ".999 F.S."