1920-21 50c Pilgrim Commemorative Splasher, Lead, JA1920-1 MS

The "obverse" of the lead splasher exhibits the reverse die impression of a 1920-1921 Pilgrim Tercentenary half dollar, whereas the "reverse" of the splasher reveals a host die trial of a Peruvian 1923 5 decimos, KM-218.1, many of which were struck at the Philadelphia Mint. When examined in a bright light source and at just the right angle, the "reverse" of the splasher reads REPUBLICA PERUANA LIMA 5 DECIMOS FINO 1923 around the periphery, with traces of the central portrait of Libertas present, though rough enough to blend into the background. The details of the host die trial were smashed and nearly obliterated by the force of the strike of the Pilgrim reverse die.

The website uspatterns.com describes this Pilgrim die trial piece and its discovery in some detail. As for its striking, it must surely have been done some time after the issuance of the 1920 and 1921 Pilgrim half dollars in silver, probably as late as 1923. Even if the Mint made a die trial of the Peru host coin prior to 1923, the date of the Peru impression, it probably was not done as early as 1920 or 1921, the dates of the actual Pilgrim coinage. Is it a piece de caprice made for Morgan's edification? If so, it is easy enough to imagine a Mint employee grabbing the first piece of available "scrap" metal, in this case the Peru die trial, and then striking the Pilgrim reverse die thereon. The very existence of the present piece suggests to us that the Mint's shenanigans were still occurring as late as the 1920s, long after the supposed halt of such practices.

Obverse Description

The obverse of the lead splasher exhibits the reverse die impression of a 1920-1921 Pilgrim Tercentenary half dollar, whereas the "reverse" of the splasher reveals a host die trial of a Peruvian 1923 5 decimos, KM-218.1, many of which were struck at the Philadelphia Mint.

Reverse Description

Plain reverse.

Source: Stacks Bowers