Twenty-cent pieces were struck for circulation only in 1875 and 1876 before the denomination was abandoned. The obverse uses Gobrecht’s Liberty Seated figure and the reverse William Barber’s perched eagle; the plain edge helps distinguish the coin from a quarter.
Key facts
- Designed by: William Barber (obverse after Christian Gobrecht)
- Issue dates: 1875–1876
- Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
- Diameter: 22 mm
- Weight: 5.00 grams (77.16 grains)
- Edge: Plain
- Mintage: 1,349,840 (business strikes, all dates)
The 1875-S accounts for the great majority of production and is the usual type coin. The 1875-CC is much scarcer, and the 1876-CC is one of the famous rarities of American coinage — about 10,000 were struck but nearly all were melted, leaving fewer than two dozen known. Strikes are often soft on the eagle and the seated figure.
We actively buy circulation-strike twenty-cent pieces in every grade. Send photos for a free, no-obligation offer.