Twenty-Cent Pieces (1875-1878)

While the odd twenty-cent denomination is popular with collectors today, the public could never understand the coins, and from the moment that they were first released into circulation in 1875 they were confused with quarter dollars. And no wonder. The Liberty Seated obverse design was the same as found on the quarter, the eagle design on the reverse if not the same was quite close to the quarter motif, at least as seen by the average citizen's eyes, and the diameter wasn't much different either. With all good intentions the government produced well over a million twenty-cent pieces in 1875. Then, as it was realized that the denomination was a grave mistake, production screeched to a near standstill; fewer than 25,000 were minted for circulation the next year, 1876, after which only Proofs were struck, for collectors, in 1877 and 1878.

This short-lived denomination was produced in only a few varieties: 1875, 1875-CC, 1875-S, 1876, 1876-CC, 1877, and 1878. You would think that such a restricted series would be eagerly collected, but as the 1876-CC is a great rarity - fewer than two dozen are known - this has dampened enthusiasm.

The main sale for twenty-cent pieces is to collectors desiring to build a type set of U.S. coins. Every type set needs one twenty-cent piece, and the coin that most people pick is usually an 1875-S, the commonest variety.

Budget Recommendations: Buy one coin in G-4 to VG-8 grade for type, or collect the available date and mint varieties (1875, 1875-CC, 1875-S, and 1876) in G-4 to VG-8 grade.

Recommendations for the Connoisseur: Buy one twenty-cent piece for "type." Such issues as 1875, 1875-CC, and 1876 are much rarer than the common 1875-S and yet cost very little more. Choose one of these. I like nice MS-63 and MS-64 coins. I like MS-65 twenty-cent pieces too, but they are a bit pricey in the current market.

Elite Recommendations: Form a set of branch mint coins (decide on your own about the 1876-CC!) in MS-65 grade and Philadelphia Mint pieces in Proof-65 finish. Or just buy one MS-65 or Proof-65 coin as a representative of the design type.