1875-S 20C (Regular Strike)
Series: Liberty Seated Twenty Cents 1875-1876
PCGS MS67
PCGS MS67
PCGS MS67
- PCGS #:
- 5298
- Designer:
- William Barber
- Edge:
- Plain
- Diameter:
- 22.00 millimeters
- Weight:
- 5.00 grams
- Mintage:
- 1,155,000
- Mint:
- San Francisco
- Metal:
- 90% Silver, 10% Copper
- Auction Record:
- $73,600 • MS68 • 01-09-2005 • Bowers & Merena
Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More
| Survival Estimate | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 25,000 |
| 60 or Better | 2,625 |
| 65 or Better | 300 |
| Numismatic Rarity | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | R-2.7 |
| 60 or Better | R-4.4 |
| 65 or Better | R-6.4 |
| Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 5 / 5 |
| 60 or Better | 5 / 5 |
| 65 or Better | 5 / 5 |
| Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 5 / 5 |
| 60 or Better | 5 / 5 |
| 65 or Better | 5 / 5 |
Condition Census What Is This?
|
#1 PCGS MS68
The Knoxville Collection; “The James W. Lull Collection,” Bowers and Merena, January 2005, Lot 678; As PCGS MS68 #21817908. Heritage Auctions, November 3, 2005, Lot 2093 – $66,125. As PCGS MS68 #25501736. “The Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation,” Stack’s Bowers, August 2015, Lot 10071 – $52,875. Top pop, pop one when offered. Deep cobalt rim toning primarily focused on the right side of the obverse. Mottled reverse toning. Top pop, pop one when offered. |
|
#2 PCGS MS67
Heritage Auctions, February 12, 2023, Lot 3718 - $21,600. The obverse displays salmon toning in the center, bordered by prismatic toning in blue, gold, orange, red, and green. A small toning spot is visible to the upper left of Star 13, with an "untoned" spot near the border at 7 o'clock. The reverse is dappled with deep olive toning. |
|
#2 PCGS MS67
As PCGS MS67 #43230689: Legend Rare Coin Auctions, January 27, 2022, Lot 98 – Passed. As PCGS MS67 #49103574. "The Colors of Liberty Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Bold green, red, and blue target toning on both sides. |
#2 PCGS MS67
As PCGS MS67 #37754648. Legend Rare Coin Auctions, May 16, 2019, Lot 379 - $19,387.50. As PCGS MS67 #38823517. Stack’s Bowers, March 19, 2020, Lot 3142 – $14,000 Reserve Not Met; Heritage Auctions, October 15, 2020, Lot 3045 – $17,400. BF-3 Die Marriage. Weak tops of TED STA as is typical. All over woodland toning on both sides. |
#2 PCGS MS67
Stack’s Bowers, October 25, 2018, Lot 2072 – $19,200; GreatCollections, August 16, 2020, Lot 868305 – $31,837.50; "The Black Cat Twenty Cents, Circulation Strikes (1875-1876) CAC Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Predominantly brilliant. Wispy streaks of gold toning. |
|
#2 PCGS MS67
Heritage Auctions, September 6, 2018, Lot 3043 – $33,600. BF-9 die marriage. Brilliant. A spot to the left of the cap. The first star is flat-struck. Hit to the top left of star 10. Hit of Liberty’s bent forearm. On the reverse, there is a dark spot to the left of the eagle’s head. Hit to the left of the eagle’s leg. Die crack around ATES OF AMERICA. |
|
#2 PCGS MS67
Pinnacle Rarities to Eugene H. Gardner, November 2006; “The Eugene H. Gardner Collection,” Heritage Auctions, June 23, 2014, Lot 30339 – $19,975. FS-301. Misplaced Date. Dark discoloration on Liberty’s neck and the space between her head and the cap. Mottled toning throughout the obverse and reverse. |
#2 PCGS MS67
Champagne rose hue. Small cluster of faint marks to the right of Liberty's knee. |
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#2 PCGS MS67
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The 1875-S Twenty-Cent Piece
In the first week of June 1875, the San Francisco Mint commenced production of the new Twenty-Cent Piece. By the end of that year, the mint’s output of this short-lived denomination had dwarfed its total quarter production. In fact, excluding Proofs, the 1875-S alone accounts for approximately 85% of the total mintage for the entire series.
A Western Experiment
The Twenty-Cent Piece was originally conceived as a solution for Western states, where minor coinage was scarce because it was only struck at the Philadelphia Mint. However, the denomination failed to gain traction with the public, who often confused it with the quarter. The impact was immediate:
- 1876: The San Francisco Mint ceased production of the denomination.
- 1877: The series was relegated to Proof-only status.
- 1878: The denomination was officially abolished by the Bland-Allison Act.
Die Varieties and Rarity
For the specialist, the 1875-S Liberty Seated Twenty-Cent (#5298) piece offers a rich field of study. Beyond its high mintage, the diversity of its production dies makes it a favorite for variety collectors. Research by Lane Brunner and John Frost has identified 23 distinct die marriages for the 1875-S. Among these, the BF-3 and BF-8 marriages are particularly prized as two of the most challenging varieties for specialists to secure.
Cherrypickers' Guide Varieties
Two significant varieties for this issue are recognized in the Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties:
- FS-301 (Misplaced Date, #395943): Features digits from the date punching visible in the denticles or shield.
- FS-302 (Misplaced Date, Repunched Mintmark, #145009): A doubled mintmark features strong rotational spread.
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