This is the first of a pair of closely-related posts regarding the 2020 400th Anniversary of the Pilgrims arrival. You can read the related post here: Plymouth 400th Anniversary.Bill Foster (D-IL), in July 2015 (114th Congress), introduced a bill that called for "the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of arrival of the Pilgrims." Foster proposed a two-coin program, up to 50,000 Gold Half Eagles and up to 100,000 Silver Dollars. (A relatively small maximum mintage for a modern era commemorative Silver Dollar!)
The Short Title of the bill was "Mayflower Commemorative Coin Act".
As typical, the bill included a "Findings" section to provide background and context for the coin proposal:
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The arrival of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620 has major significance in the history of the United States.
(2) The Mayflower Compact laid the foundation and moral framework for the future laws of the United States.
(3) The General Society of Mayflower Decedents' mission is--
(A) to tell the story of the Pilgrim's journey on the Mayflower in 1620, bringing with them principles of civil and religious liberty to America as memorialized in the Mayflower Compact;
(B) to raise public awareness and increase the public understanding of the importance of the Pilgrim's lives and legacies; and
(C) to encourage a passion for history.
(4) A commemorative coin will bring national and international attention to the lasting legacy of this important event.
(5) The proceeds from a surcharge on the sale of such commemorative coin will assist the financing of educational, scholarship, and outreach programs.The coins were to feature designs "emblematic of the arrival of the Pilgrims." Designs were to be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury "after consultation with the Commission of Fine Arts and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants." As standard, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) was to serve in a review capacity. One aspect of the designs was specified, the coins were to bear the dual dates of "1620" and "2020" - the Pilgrim arrival year and the coin issue year, respectively.
The Issue Price of the Gold Half Eagle was to include a surcharge of $35, the Silver Dollar's Issue Price was to include a surcharge of $10. Surcharge funds collected were to be paid to the General Society of Mayflower Descendants for it to use for educational purposes. (A rather non-specific use statement, IMO!)
A companion bill was introduced in the Senate by John Hoeven (R-ND). The House bill was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services; the Senate bill to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Neither bill was reported out of Committee or considered by its respective chamber,
But the story doesn't end there - see:
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Plymouth 400th Anniversary for what happened next.
For other of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, including more What If? stories, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 08/18/2025 08:16 am
