2026 Ascension Islands Gold & Silver Ultra-High Relief Mercanti Morgan 2-pc Proof Set NGC PF70 First Day of Issue w/Mercanti Signature

GOVMINT EXCLUSIVE: 19th-Century Classic Reimagined By Modern Master

The Design

John Mercanti’s 2026 Morgan was created in homage to George Morgan’s famous 1878 namesake Silver Dollar. It features a left-facing profile of Liberty crowned with a classical coronet inscribed with “LIBERTY,” framed by 13 stars. Her flowing hair and Greco-Roman elegance evoke timeless ideals. A boldly reimagined eagle spreads its wings on the reverse in a design reminiscent of Mercanti’s “Heraldic Eagle” from his Type I American Eagle, completing a design rooted in 19th-century grandeur elevated by Mercanti’s signature detail.

The Story

John Mercanti, the U.S. Mint’s now-retired 12th Chief Engraver, created more coin and medal designs than any artist in Mint history. Unseen for decades in his personal collection was a design answering a legendary “what if”: What if the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar had been created by Mercanti? Now, that long-unseen masterpiece is being struck for the first time as an exclusive series of coins and medals—bringing history and modern artistry together.

The Minting

Released on behalf of the Ascension Islands, this two-piece set consists of a legal-tender $2 coin struck in two Troy ounces of highly pure 99.9% fine silver and a $20 coin struck in one ounce of 99.99% pure gold. Their  dual Ultra-High Relief (UHR) details provide a technological aspect to coin production that engravers could have only dreamed about in the late 1800s. Each also comes graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) as being in flawless Proof-70 (PF70) condition, a distinction that means these perfectly-graded proofs will have ZERO imperfections—showing all features and fields exactly as the engraver and mint intended. In addition, NGC has designated that these Proofs are First Day of Issue (FDI) coins, meaning they were purchased within one day of the first day that these coins were available for sale and was received by NGC or an NGC-approved depository within one week of the release date along with documentation that demonstrates the date when the coin was purchased.

Signed By John Mercanti

Each coin available here will come sonically sealed in an acrylic holder and encapsulated with a label personally signed by John Mercanti. These specially signed coins will come housed in a premium display case with mint-issued certificates of authenticity. Don’t delay—just 1,000 two-ounce silver coins and only 200 one-ounce gold coins have been struck for worldwide release!

COIN HIGHLIGHTS:

• A MODERN MASTER'S HOMAGE TO A CLASSIC COIN – These coins were designed by the legendary John Mercanti, the U.S. Mint’s now-retired 12th Chief Engraver, and features his interpretation of the classic 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar—Liberty crowned with stars representing the original colonies on the obverse while the reverse shows his signature “Heraldic Eagle design.”
• AVAILABLE THROUGH EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH JOHN MERCANTI – These coins were struck thanks to an exclusive and groundbreaking partnership between GOVMINT and John Mercanti.
• EXTRAORDINARY DUAL ULTRA-HIGH RELIEF – These Mercanti Morgan Coins were struck by Sunshine Minting with extraordinary dual Ultra-High Relief (UHR) detail on both sides that makes the designs seem like they’re leaping from the surface of the coin.
• STRUCK IN HIGHLY PURE SILVER & GOLD – This two-piece set consists of a two-ounce coin struck in highly pure 99.9% fine silver and a one-ounce coin struck 99.99% pure gold.
• LEGAL-TENDER COINS – These 2026-dated coins are $2 (silver) and $20 (gold) legal tender in the Ascension Islands; a British Overseas Territory located midway between the coast of Africa and the coast of Brazil.
• PERFECT PROOF CONDITION – Each coin in your 2026 Ascension Islands $Gold & Silver Ultra-High Relief Mercanti Morgan Two-Piece Set has been graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) in perfect Proof-70 (PF70) condition.
• KEY FIRST DAY OF ISSUE DESIGNATION – NGC has designated that this Proofs are First Day of Issue (FDI) coins, a designation reserved for coins purchased within the first day of release and submitted to grading within the required timeframe.
• SIGNED BY JOHN MERCANTI – These coins will come sonically sealed in acrylic holders and encapsulated with labels personally signed by John Mercanti.
• EXCLUSIVE LIMITED MINTAGE – Just 1,000 two-ounce silver coins and only 200 one-ounce gold coins have been struck for worldwide release, and they are available only through GOVMINT and its marketing partners.

Only limited quantities are available of the 2026 Ascension Islands Gold & Silver Ultra-High Relief Mercanti Morgan two-Piece et. Don't let this opportunity become a line on the list of coins you wished you'd acquired when they were available. Order yours now graded by NGC in Proof-70 First Day of Issue condition!