U.S. Twenty-Cent Coins
(1875 - 1878)
U.S. Twenty-Cent Coins were a short-lived silver denomination introduced to facilitate commerce in the western United States, where small silver coins were heavily used. Featuring the familiar Liberty Seated design, the twenty-cent piece closely resembled the quarter dollar in size and appearance, leading to widespread confusion in circulation. This similarity ultimately doomed the denomination, and it was discontinued after just four years. Today, the twenty-cent piece stands as one of the most distinctive and historically fascinating “what-if” coins in U.S. numismatics.
Check out every series of U.S. Twenty-Cent Coins below, complete with dates & mintages for each.
U.S. Twenty-Cent Coin
(1875 - 1878)
The United States Twenty-Cent Piece was introduced in 1875 in an effort to facilitate small transactions, particularly in the western states where fractional silver coins were in demand. Designed by William Barber, the obverse features Liberty seated, similar in style to the Seated Liberty dime and quarter, while the reverse displays an eagle with shield.
The coin was struck in the standard 90% silver and 10% copper composition. However, its size and appearance were too similar to the quarter, leading to public confusion and poor acceptance in circulation.
Production lasted only from 1875 to 1878, with business strikes issued primarily in 1875 and 1876. Several dates—most notably the 1876-CC—are considered key rarities. Due to its short lifespan and low overall mintage, the Twenty-Cent Piece remains one of the shortest-lived and most distinctive denominations in U.S. coinage history.
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1875 | 1,155,000
1875-CC | 133,290
1875-S | 1,155,000
1876 | 14,640
1876-S | 28,000
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1875 Proof | 2,790
1876 Proof | 1,260
1877 Proof | 350
1878 Proof | 600
If You Collect Twenty-Cent Coins, Check Out The ‘US Short-Lived Productions’ Type Set!
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