Whitman Expo
1920 Pilgrim Half dollar MS Values
Details
The 1920 Pilgrim half dollar honors the 300th anniversary of the first pilgrims landing in Plymouth, Massachusetts, after their trans-Atlantic voyage on the legendary ship known as the Mayflower. The Pilgrim half dollar was designed by Cyrus Dallin, whose initial D under the pilgrim's elbow on the obverse indicates the initial of his last name and is not a D mintmark from the Denver Mint. The reverse of this coin features the Mayflower in grand detail. This issue was struck for two years, with the 1920 specimens showing no date. Those made the following year, in 1921, do show a date.
A little better than half of the survivors are estimated to be in uncirculated condition, though grade between MS62 and MS64, with Gems grading MS65 or higher quite scarce. Many are heavily -- often unattractively -- toned. This, or course, is not an unusual grade spread for early, pre-1930 commemorative half dollars as they were not always so well preserved and a great many were spent, especially after the nation plunged into the depths of the Great Depression.
Basic Information
GSID:
10355
Coin Date:
1920
Denomination:
50c / Half dollar
Designation:
MS
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
152,112
Coinage Type:
Classic Commemorative
Coinage Years:
1892-1954
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Pilgrim
Physical Characteristics
Fineness:
0.9
Weight:
12.5 gr
Weight:
0.475 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.3617 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
30.6 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
