Brazil's maritime history receives a new tribute in metal. In 2026, the 150th anniversary of the Diretoria de Hidrografia e Navegação (DHN) is commemorated with a medal minted by the Casa da Moeda do Brasil, a piece that combines navigation, cartography, science, and maritime symbolism in an elaborate design.
Image of Clube da Medalha do Brasil
150 years of knowledge about the sea
In 2026, the Diretoria de Hidrografia e Navegação de la Marinha do Brasil celebrates a century and a half of history, between 1876 and 2026.
Throughout this period, his work has been linked to hydrographic surveys, nautical charting, meteorology, oceanography, and navigational aid systems. These activities have contributed to the understanding of the Brazilian coast, rivers, ports, and maritime waters, as well as to the safety of those who navigate them. The commemorative medal incorporates part of this scientific and maritime legacy into a design rich with elements directly related to navigation.
Design of the DHN 150th anniversary medal
The piece was created and modeled by Monique Porto and has a diameter of 50 mm. Both the obverse and reverse use different symbols to represent the history and functions of the DHN.
Obverse
The obverse is dominated by a lighthouse whose beam points east, a clear reference to navigational guidance and safety. At its base, undulating lines represent the sea and visually continue in the same direction.
The stars of the Southern Cross appear on the scene, observed using a sextant, a traditional instrument closely related to maritime navigation.
The composition is surrounded by legends referring to the Diretoria de Hidrografia e Navegação and the Marinha do Brasil, separated by two anchors, in addition to the dates 1876–2026. A rope twisted around the edge completes the maritime aesthetic of the piece.
Image of Clube da Medalha do Brasil
Reverso
The reverse side expands the concept to include Brazil's territory and waters. It features a map of the country, highlighting its extensive coastline and some of its main rivers. Around the coast, the maritime area known as the Blue Amazon is depicted in a gradient of blue using pad printing.
At the bottom is the Vital de Oliveira Hydro-Oceanographic Research Vessel (H39). The design also incorporates, in green, a border, an informal heraldic symbol of the Brazilian Hydrographic Service found on the ships and vessels of this service.
At the top appears the motto “RESTARÁ SEMPRE MUITO QUE FAZER…”, while the border again uses the twisted rope motif present on the front.
Image of Clube da Medalha do Brasil
Silver, bronze and gilt bronze
The 2026 issue was produced in three variants. The .925 silver version weighs 64 ± 0.64 grams and has a mintage of 100 pieces. The bronze version weighs 55 ± 1.65 grams and has a mintage of 300 pieces, while the gilt bronze variant, with the same weight, is limited to 100 pieces. All share a diameter of 50 mm.
A piece dedicated to the Brazilian maritime legacy
The DHN's 150th anniversary medal is particularly noteworthy for the way its design transforms different aspects of navigation into visual symbols. The lighthouse, sextant, Southern Cross, map of Brazil, the Blue Amazon, and the Vital de Oliveira statue allow the wearer to explore various facets of Brazilian maritime activity on both sides. For collectors, it is also a limited-edition commemorative issue, especially in its silver and gilt-bronze versions, with only 100 pieces of each.
More than simply marking the years 1876–2026, this medal seeks to represent in metal the bond between Brazil and its waters. Its elaborate visual design brings together science, navigation, territory, and institutional history, making the 150th anniversary of the DHN a piece with a distinctly maritime and commemorative character.
Find out all the details about this medal on the official website:
https://clubedamedalha.com.br/150-anos-dhn
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