© Ben-jamin (CC0)
© Ben-jamin (CC0)
½ Dollar Pilgrim Tercentenary
| Silver (.900) | 12.5 g | 30.61 mm |
| Issuer | United States |
|---|---|
| Period | Federal republic (1776-date) |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Years | 1920-1921 |
| Value | ½ Dollar = 50 Cents (½ USD) |
| Currency | Dollar (1785-date) |
| Composition | Silver (.900) |
| Weight | 12.5 g |
| Diameter | 30.61 mm |
| Thickness | 2.15 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#4398 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 26% |
Reverse
The Mayflower, the ship which carried the Pilgrims to Plymouth.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
PILGRIM TERCENTENARY CELEBRATION
1620 - 1920
Engraver: Cyrus E. Dallin
Edge
Reeded
Comment
To celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth, Massachusetts, Congress authorized the Pilgrim Tercentenary Half Dollar. The commemorative coins were issued with two different dates, setting a precedent that would be followed by future issues.A quantity of 200,000 coins were initially produced at the Philadelphia Mint in 1920. These were sold by the Pilgrim Tercentenary Commission for $1 each.
Although the existing production was not completely sold out, the Commission requested production of the remaining 100,000 coins of the 300,000 maximum authorized mintage. These would carry the date “1921” on the obverse, differentiating them from the original issue. Sales of the additional issue were poor and eventually 48,000 of the original issue and 80,000 of the second issue were returned to the Mint for melting.
Authorization: Public Law 66-203
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 300,000
Interesting fact
The Pilgrim Tercentenary half dollar, minted in 1920-1921, features a unique design that commemorates the 300th anniversary of the Pilgrims' arrival in America. The coin's obverse depicts a portrait of a Pilgrim man and woman, while the reverse shows the Mayflower ship, the vessel that brought the Pilgrims to America in 1620. The coin's design was created by sculptor Cyrus E. Dallin, who was known for his work on various coins and monuments.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 152112 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1921 | 20053 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for ½ Dollar (Pilgrim Tercentenary) 1920-1921 coin.
