Tonight we take another look at the commemorative half-dollars issued to mark the 300th anniversary of the Pilgrims landing at what would become Plymouth, Massachusetts.
We previously took a look at the first coin (1920-dated) in this two-coin "program" here:
http://goccf.com/t/114398The coin was designed by Cyrus Dallin, and features a portrait of Plymouth Colony Governor William Bradford on its obverse and a depiction of the
Mayflower -- the ship that brought the Pilgrims to the New World -- on the reverse. Like I mentioned in my 1920 variety post, I think the coin has a simple, classic and attractive design. I view the 1921 Pilgrim as the "Small Date" variety of the two Pilgrim coins.
Read More: Commems CollectionThe authorized mintage of 300,000 Pilgrim half-dollars was split between 200,000 issued in 1920 and 100,000 (plus assays) in 1921. To distinguish the 1921 coins, a small "1921" was added in the obverse field to the left of Governor Bradford's portrait. The 1921 coins were ordered by the Pilgrim Tercentenary Committee in the belief that they would reinvigorate sales of the 1920-dated coins and also be in demand on their own as a second variety. Unfortunately for them, neither hope was fulfilled so a large number of coins were returned to the Mint for melting; 48,000 of the 1920s and 80,000 of the 1921s.
The net mintages have created the relatively minor premiums attached to the price of 1921-dated coins vs. their 1920 counterparts. Based on a near 8:1 difference, one would think the cost differentials would be greater but chalk the smallish differences up to being one of the quirks of the series. Of course, the fact that the majority of commem collectors appear to be type collectors vs. complete set collectors makes having a 1921 coin less necessary.
This was one of the first coins I purchased when I was upgrading my raw set (stored in a Dansco album) to a PCGS-graded set. My original goal was a nicely-matched, white/brilliant set in MS-63 / MS-64. I was about half-way through that endeavor when my eye "improved" and I decided to build an MS-65 or better set. As those who have followed my posts know, I still have a number of choice MS-64's in my collection, with the intent to upgrade them as I encounter the "right" coin. This one will be subject to a technical upgrade as well, but I intend to keep this lustrous beauty as part of my personal history. I think it's got great eye appeal (likely better than a 64), and it is one of only two commems in my collection that are encapsulated in the old PCGS "rattler" holders.
In addition to the coin, I've also included an image of a page from the official program of the Pilgrim Tercentenary Pageant which advertises the Pilgrim commemorative half-dollar.
Enjoy!
1921 Pilgrim Landing Tercentenary -- Obverse
1921 Pilgrim Landing Tercentenary -- Reverse
Pilgrim Landing Tercentenary Celebrations Program -- Coin Advertisement
Posted 04/26/2012 6:28 pm
