1920 Half Dollar Splasher - J-A1920-2, Pilgrim, Obverse

Coin Details

Description

The obverse companion to the reverse splasher (J-A1920-1), this soft impression was taken from the obverse die of the 1920 Pilgrim Tercentenary commemorative half dollar during the die preparation process. The obverse of the Pilgrim half dollar features a half-length portrait of Governor William Bradford, designed by Cyrus E. Dallin, making it one of the few US coins to depict a non-president historical figure during this era. Splashers capture the design in its intermediate state, before the die has been fully hardened and polished. The soft material — typically lead, tin, or type metal — is pressed against the die face at low pressure, producing a shallow impression that reveals the depth, spacing, and overall composition of the design elements. Engravers used splashers to identify areas that needed additional cutting, smoothing, or adjustment before the die was heat-treated and placed into service. This obverse splasher, cataloged as Judd appendix A1920-2, would have been reviewed alongside the reverse splasher to ensure that both sides of the commemorative would present a cohesive and attractive appearance when paired in the coining press. The Pilgrim half dollar was produced with an authorized mintage of 200,000 pieces in 1920.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare. Like its reverse counterpart, this obverse splasher is a working Mint artifact that was never intended for distribution.

Cross References

Judd A1920-2; Pollock; Pilgrim Tercentenary commemorative half dollar; United States Mint, Philadelphia