The denomination was contemplated earlier. Pieces were first minted in 1875 and last struck in 1878, a span of just four years!

Further ReadingĪs a regular denomination the twenty-cent piece had the shortest life of any United States coin. Proofs are available of the four Philadelphia issues 1875 through 1878. Many Philadelphia Mint business strike coins in higher grades exhibit prooflike surfaces. The striking is apt to be erratic, and often pieces will show lightness of impression, particularly on the eagle on the reverse and on the Liberty Seated figure and stars on the obverse. Truly superb Uncirculated pieces are rare. AU pieces are scarce, and Uncirculated coins are quite elusive. Specimens are readily available in grades from Very Good to Extremely Fine. The type set collector will gravitate toward an example of 1875-S, the issue which is most often seen. The edge is plain, unlike other silver denominations of the era. The reverse is a new motif by William Barber and depicts a perched eagle, somewhat similar in configuration to that used on the Trade Dollar, surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination expressed as TWENTY CENTS. The obverse design features Christian Gobrecht's motif of Miss Liberty seated, stars surrounding, and the date below. It was felt that the denomination would find an enthusiastic reception in the West, but it was soon learned that the public confused the pieces with quarter dollars of approximately the same diameter.

The Act of Maauthorized the twenty-cent piece. Museums, Institutions and Learned Societiesĭesigned by: William Barber (obverse after Christian Gobrecht).

Are any 20 cent coins valuable