1878 20C, CAM PR67CAM Certification #50725163, PCGS #85306

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Expert Comments

Charles Morgan

1878 Twenty-Cent Piece Proof

The Twenty-Cent Piece made its final appearance with this 1878 Proof-only issue. Six hundred coins were reportedly struck, a slight increase over the Proof-only 1877 issue (#5305).

The 1878 Twenty-Cent Proof was included in Silver Proof Sets struck between January 29 and March 18; however, Congress eliminated the denomination after May 2. Consequently, Twenty-Cent Pieces were not included in the 200 Silver Proof Sets delivered for sale on May 17.

The combined certified population of the 1878 Liberty Seated Twenty-Cent Piece Proof (#5306) across all services exceeds the reported mintage, with PCGS alone accounting for nearly the entire total. A review of certification data and auction history reveals that many active certification numbers represent coins that have long since been cracked out and regraded—a trend particularly prevalent at the high end of the market.

Typically found as brilliant or toned Proofs, only about 15% of 1878 Twenty-Cent Pieces exhibit the frosted contrast required for a Cameo designation.

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PCGS #

85306

Designer

William Barber

Edge

Plain

Diameter

22.00 millimeters

Weight

5.00 grams

Mintage

600

Metal

90% Silver, 10% Copper

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Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	65	R-8.3	1 / 4 TIE	1 / 4 TIE
All Grades	65	R-8.3	1 / 4 TIE	1 / 4 TIE
60 or Better	12	R-9.5	1 / 4 TIE	1 / 4 TIE

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	65
All Grades	65
60 or Better	12

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-8.3
All Grades	R-8.3
60 or Better	R-9.5

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	1 / 4 TIE
All Grades	1 / 4 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 4 TIE

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	1 / 4 TIE
All Grades	1 / 4 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 4 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	PCGS PR67CAM	Heritage Auctions, May 9, 2024, Lot 4437 - $84,000. Glassy obverse fields show shades of green, blue, amber, and lavender around frosted motifs. The reverse features deep-violet and peach-gold toning.
1	PCGS PR67CAM	The 1994 Collection; Legend Rare Coin Auctions, July 13, 2017, Lot 39 – $55,812.50. Deeply mirrored surfaces with vivid rainbow toning. The obverse showcases blue fields with purple and orange splashes over Liberty; the reverse is dominated by golden-yellow hues punctuated by red and blue.
3	PCGS PR66CAM	As "Brilliant Proof." "The Frank H. Chase Collection," Stack's, December 1958, Lot 263; Stack's Bowers, November 15, 2011, Lot 5112 - $31,625. Golden-yellow centers are framed by a ring of intense red and blue toning along the peripheries of both sides.
3	PCGS PR66CAM	"The Daryl J. Haynor Collection," Heritage Auctions, August 12, 2011, Lot 7102 - Passed; Heritage Auctions, August 10, 2016, Lot 4022 – $28,200. Deep mirrors with rich iridescent toning in golden-brown, lime, blue, and violet.
3	PCGS PR66CAM	"The Austin Simmons Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Golden-apricot toning. Darker toning spot to the right of Star 7.

#1 PCGS PR67CAM

Heritage Auctions, May 9, 2024, Lot 4437 - $84,000. Glassy obverse fields show shades of green, blue, amber, and lavender around frosted motifs. The reverse features deep-violet and peach-gold toning.

#1 PCGS PR67CAM

The 1994 Collection; Legend Rare Coin Auctions, July 13, 2017, Lot 39 – $55,812.50. Deeply mirrored surfaces with vivid rainbow toning. The obverse showcases blue fields with purple and orange splashes over Liberty; the reverse is dominated by golden-yellow hues punctuated by red and blue.

#3 PCGS PR66CAM

As "Brilliant Proof." "The Frank H. Chase Collection," Stack's, December 1958, Lot 263; Stack's Bowers, November 15, 2011, Lot 5112 - $31,625. Golden-yellow centers are framed by a ring of intense red and blue toning along the peripheries of both sides.

#3 PCGS PR66CAM

"The Daryl J. Haynor Collection," Heritage Auctions, August 12, 2011, Lot 7102 - Passed; Heritage Auctions, August 10, 2016, Lot 4022 – $28,200. Deep mirrors with rich iridescent toning in golden-brown, lime, blue, and violet.

#3 PCGS PR66CAM

"The Austin Simmons Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Golden-apricot toning. Darker toning spot to the right of Star 7.