Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 2 Pounds 2020, Sp# K60, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 400th Anniversary of the Mayflower Voyage
  • 2 Pounds 2020, Sp# K60, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 400th Anniversary of the Mayflower Voyage
  • 2 Pounds 2020, Sp# K60, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 400th Anniversary of the Mayflower Voyage, Royal Mint case with a booklet
Description

The Royal Mint issued a special £2 coin to mark 400th anniversary of the historic Mayflower voyage.

The Mayflower was the ship that transported the first English Separatists, known today as the Pilgrims, from Plymouth to the New World in 1620. There were 102 passengers, and the crew is estimated to have been about 30, but the exact number is unknown. This voyage has become an iconic story in some of the earliest annals of American history, with its story of death and of survival in the harsh New England winter environment. The culmination of the voyage in the signing of the Mayflower Compact was an event which established a rudimentary form of democracy, with each member contributing to the welfare of the community.

Obverse

The fifth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem and drop earrings.

The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewelry has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace.

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSATRIX means Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith.

Engraver: Jody Clark

ELIZABETH II·D·G·REG·F·D·2 POUNDS·
J.C

Reverse

Depicts the Mayflower upon a rough sea to the left, with a guiding star in the night sky, dates above, legend below.

The Mayflower was square-rigged with a beakhead bow and high, castle-like structures fore and aft which protected the crew and the main deck from the elements—designs that were typical of English merchant ships of the early 17th century. Her stern carried a 30-foot high, square aft-castle which made the ship extremely difficult to sail against the wind and unable to sail well against the North Atlantic's prevailing westerlies, especially in the fall and winter of 1620; the voyage from England to America took more than two months as a result.

Engraver: Chris Costello

1620 2020
CTC
MAYFLOWER

Edge

A part of the phrase (Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia) from the Mayflower Compact. It was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony written by the male passengers of the Mayflower, consisting of separatist Puritans, adventurers, and tradesmen.

UNDERTAKEN FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Gold Plated Silver
Center Silver
Weight 12 g
Diameter 28.4 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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