Twenty Cent Coin

1875 Twenty Cent Coin

Twenty Cent Coin

Modern American coinage has a variety of denominations, but no single coin that is worth precisely twenty cents. However, for a brief period in the 19th century, such an oddity did exist. It was only struck for four years, having the shortest run of any American coin.

Minting authorities gave several reasons for the creation of a twenty cent coin. One was to create denominations that were more compatible with a decimal currency system. Also, there were some areas of the United States where nickels were not widely used, and a twenty cent coin would make transactions, especially the giving of change easier in those areas. Other supporters stated that dollar and cent denominations should match: if a twenty dollar denomination existed, so should a twenty cent coin. On the other hand, others who were unhappy with the coin argued that its creation was meant to benefit owners of American silver mines.

Twenty Cent Coin was given a design similar to other Seated Liberty coins popular at the time. On the obverse side, Liberty sat on a rock, holding the country’s flag in her left hand, and a shield in her right. She is surrounded by thirteen stars, representing the original states. The reverse side of Twenty Cent Coin shows an eagle holding arrows and an olive branch in its claws.

There was a practical reason why the Twenty Cent Coin was so unpopular. It looked almost exactly like the quarter in terms of size and design, and the two coins were often confused with each other, causing many financial mistakes. Such was the fuss that production was soon scaled back, and then halted.

Even though the Americans of the time did not like the coin, it has now become popular among collectors. The 1876-CC is quite rare, since only twenty were saved from being melted.

Twenty Cent Coin Fair Market Values in U.S. Dollars (1875-1878)

Date/Type	G4	VG8	F12	VF20	XF40	AU50	AU53	AU55	AU58	MS60
1875	$140	$170	$252	$294	$450	$540	$620	$680	$750	$800
1875 Proof	--	--	--	--	--	$570	$600	$650	$780	$990
1875 CC	$210	$408	$468	$620	$750	$840	$1,020	$1,220	$1,470	$1,560
1875 S	$98	$115	$150	$180	$240	$348	$390	$420	$540	$630
1875 S Proof	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	$7,810
1876	$164	$196	$294	$360	$492	$552	$600	$730	$780	$880
1876 Proof	--	--	--	--	--	$510	$540	$570	$700	$990
**1876 CC	$21,880	$25,000	$33,130	$45,000	$59,380	$66,880	$73,130	$80,630	$86,880	$99,380
*1877 Proof	$1,800	$2,070	$2,400	$2,700	$3,030	$3,310	$3,410	$3,500	$3,780	$4,000
*1878 Proof	$1,410	$1,560	$1,830	$2,040	$2,310	$2,660	$2,720	$2,780	$2,940	$3,160