U.S. Mint, Royal Mint Team Up for Mayflower Anniversary Coins & Medals

In 2020, the United States Mint and the Royal Mint of the United Kingdom collaborated on a special numismatic release to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s historic voyage. This unprecedented partnership resulted in a series of gold and silver coins and medals, honoring the journey that brought the Pilgrims to the New World in 1620.

A Historic Collaboration

The Mayflower 400th Anniversary series marked the first time the U.S. Mint and the Royal Mint worked together on a joint coin program. The two mints created a set of beautifully designed pieces that tell the story of the Mayflower’s voyage from both an American and British perspective.

This collaborative effort consisted of four key releases:

• A gold coin and medal set
• A silver coin and medal set
• Standalone U.S. Mint commemoratives
• Standalone Royal Mint commemoratives

Each design was crafted to highlight the significance of the voyage, focusing on themes of exploration, hardship, and cultural exchange.

Coin and Medal Designs

Renowned U.S. Mint artist Chris Costello designed the American pieces, while Royal Mint artist Jody Clark created the British versions. Together, their work provided a comprehensive visual narrative of the Mayflower’s journey.

U.S. Mint Designs

• The U.S. gold and silver coins depict the Mayflower sailing toward the horizon, symbolizing hope and the pursuit of freedom.
• The U.S. medals focus on the Wampanoag people, who played a crucial role in the Pilgrims’ survival, emphasizing the Native American perspective.

Royal Mint Designs

• The British coins and medals depict the Mayflower departing from England, showcasing its early journey and the Pilgrims’ farewell to their homeland.
• The designs highlight the Tudor-style architecture of the time and the emotional farewell as the Pilgrims embarked on their uncertain voyage.

Limited Mintage & Collector Appeal

The Mayflower Anniversary series was released in limited quantities, making it highly sought after by collectors. The combined gold coin and medal set had a mintage of only 400 units, symbolizing the 400 years since the voyage. Similarly, the silver set was limited to 4,850 sets.

Because of their historical significance and unique collaboration, these coins and medals quickly became collector favorites, with many selling out shortly after release.

Conclusion

As a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the U.S. Mint and Royal Mint, these coins hold both historical and numismatic value. Prices on the secondary market reflect strong demand, particularly for certified high-grade examples from grading services like PCGS and NGC.

This special series not only honors an important event in world history but also demonstrates how numismatics can bridge cultures and historical narratives, making it a cherished piece for coin collectors worldwide.

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