One Of The Most Beautiful U.S. Coins Ever Produced
In 1920, to celebrate the 300th Anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival in America, the U.S. Mint coined this Pilgrim Tercentenary Commemorative Silver Half Dollar.
Ship Lands in Wrong Place, Sets Stage for Thanksgiving
The Mayflower was headed toward the Dutch territory of New Amsterdam in 1620 when she was blown off course and landed at Plymouth Rock far from the intended destination of Manhattan. Undaunted, the Pilgrims traveling aboard the tiny vessel proceeded to establish their own colony and helped start the tradition of Thanksgiving that we know and love today.
Among America’s Most Sought-After Coins
The 1920 Pilgrim Tercentenary Commemorative Silver Half Dollar has been one America’s most sought-after coins for more than 100 years. The Philadelphia Mint struck 200,112 half dollars in October of 1920 and they were sold for $1 each with the profits going to the Pilgrim Tercentenary Commission. No date was on these coins. Another 100,000 were minted a year later and those coins all had the 1921 date near the bust of William Bradford on the obverse. After a promising start, sales tailed off, and tens of thousands of coins from each year were returned to the Philadelphia Mint for melting. The Tercentenary Commission returned to the mint 48,000 of the 1920 issue and 80,000 of the 1921 issue.
COIN HIGHLIGHTS:
- HONORING THE PILGRIMS – This coin pays tribute to the 300th anniversary of the Pilgrims arriving at Plymouth Rock. It shows Governor William Bradford on the obverse and the Mayflower on the reverse.
- STRUCK IN GLEAMING SILVER – Each 1920 Pilgrim Tercentenary Commemorative was struck in 12.50 grams of 90% fine silver.
- LEGAL-TENDER CO0MMEMORATIVE – These 1920 Pilgrim Tercentenary Silver Commemoratives were 50 cents legal tender in the United States.
- BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED CONDITION – Your 1920 Pilgrim Tercentenary Commemorative Silver Half Dollar comes in nice Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition with lots of high detail.
- LOW SURVIVING MINTAGE – After originally striking 200,112 coins, 48,000 were returned to the Philadelphia Mint where they were melted leaving an official mintage of just 152,112.
Product information
| YEAR OF ISSUE | 1920 |
|---|---|
| COUNTRY | United States |
| COMPOSITION | Silver |
| PURITY | 0.9000 |
| GRADE | BU |
|---|---|
| DENOMINATION | 0.50 |
| CURRENCY TYPE | Dollar |