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20-cent coin has brief four-year tenure
By Michele Orzano
COIN WORLD Staff
The short-lived 20-cent series was born a year before the United States celebrated its centennial. And although the series can not lay claim to t... Read more
Seated Liberty 20 Cents
20-cent coin has brief four-year tenure
By Michele Orzano
COIN WORLD Staff
The short-lived 20-cent series was born a year before the United States celebrated its centennial. And although the series can not lay claim to the longevity of the country, the silver coin does continue to attract interest long after its birth.
The obverse of the 20-cent coin bears a modified rendition of Christian Gobrecht's design of 13 stars around a figure of Liberty seated on a rock. Gobrecht's design was first used on the silver dollars of 1836. John Hughes and William Barber are credited with modifications made for the design's use on the 20-cent coin. An original design by Barber – showing a facing eagle with partially raised wings, three arrows in the eagle's right claw, olive branch in the other – was used on the reverse.
According to numismatic researchers this design is considered an heraldic faux pas, favoring the arrows of war over the olive branch of peace, but it was copied from the Trade dollar, which Barber also designed.
Barber, as chief engraver, engraved both the obverse and reverse designs of the coin. He served in the position of chief engraver for a short time, dying Aug. 31, 1879, just eight months after the death of his predecessor James B. Longacre. Barber's son, Charles, an assistant engraver at the time, assumed the chief engraver's position after his father's death.
Although William Barber is one of the most well-known Mint engravers who did much original work on pattern coins and also designed many medals, only the 20-cent coin and the Trade dollar were his designs selected for circulating coins.
Seated Liberty 20-cent coins were struck for only four years: 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1878, the last two years in Proof only. Coins dated 1875 were struck at the Philadelphia, Carson City and San Francisco Mints while coins dated 1876 were struck at the Philadelphia and Carson City Mints only. The first year of issue saw 38,500 coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint and 1,200 Proofs are known for this date. At the Carson City Mint there were a total of 133,290 circulation strikes but no known Proofs. There are six to seven Proof 1875-S coins known, probably struck to celebrate the first (or last) year of this denomination at the San Francisco Mint. No official Proof mintages were reported for this year, but it was the largest mintage of the series with 1,155,000 business strikes.
Virtually all 10,000 of the 1876-CC coins were melted at the Carson City Mint and no Proofs are known. A few of the circulation strikes escaped, possibly as souvenirs given to visitors. Fewer than 20 are known today. Only 14,750 1876 coins were struck for circulation and 1,150 Proofs were made at the Philadelphia Mint. The Philadelphia Mint struck 510 Proof coins dated 1877 and 600 dated 1878.
Seated Liberty 20 Cents |
|
| Date of authorization: | March 3, 1875 |
| Dates of issue: | 1875-1876 |
| Designers: | Obverse: Thomas Sully-Christian Gobrecht- Robert Ball Hughes-William Barber Reverse: William Barber |
| Engraver: | William Barber |
| Diameter: | 22.50 mm/0.89 inch |
| Weight: | 5.00 grams/0.16 ounce |
| Metallic content: | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Weight of pure silver: | 4.50 grams/0.14 ounce |
| Edge: | Plain |
| Mint mark: | Reverse below eagle |
Marketplace
Public Auctions
| Name | Grade | Price | Date | Firm | Lot Number | Certified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1875 20C -- Cleaning -- PCGS Genuine. | MS-60 | $1,057.50 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3389 | PCGS Genuine |
| 1875 20C -- Obv Graffiti -- NGC Details. Fine. NGC Census: (2/379). PCGS | F-12 | $53.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 24134 | NGC Details |
| 1876 20C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. | MS-60 | $822.50 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 1915 | NGC Details |
| 1876 20C PR64 NGC. | MS-64 | $10,575.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3392 | NGC |
| 1877 20C PR63 PCGS. | MS-63 | $4,993.75 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 1918 | PCGS |
| 1877 20C PR63 PCGS. | MS-63 | $4,406.25 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 1917 | PCGS |
| 1877 20C PR63 PCGS. | MS-63 | $4,700.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 1916 | PCGS |
| 1878 20C PR62 PCGS. | MS-62 | $3,436.88 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3384 | PCGS |
| 1878 20C PR63 PCGS. | MS-63 | $3,818.75 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3393 | PCGS |
Add Portfolio
Auctions
- 1880-S $1 MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (50565/45798). PCGS $74
- 1944-D 50C MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (2367/1543). PCGS $112
- 1892-S $1 -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. XF. NGC Census: (354/1935). PCGS $129
- 1881-S $1 MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (41021/160129). PCGS $62
- (2)1943 50C MS64 NGC. $120
- 1888-S $1 -- Obv Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. UNC. NGC Census: (37/2882). PCGS $259
- 1947-D 50C MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (4020/942). PCGS $94
- 1901 $10 AU58 NGC. CAC. NGC Census: (505/22175). PCGS $969
- 1884-O $1 MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (63819/96393). PCGS $62
- 1888-O $1 MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (9026/1359). PCGS $84
- 1942-D 50C MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (1520/1023). PCGS $153
- 1993-W G$5 Bill of Rights Gold Five Dollar MS70 NGC. NGC Census: (826). PCGS $441
- 1946-D 50C MS66 NGC. NGC Census: (2114/110). PCGS $129
- 1913 10C MS62 PCGS. PCGS $118
- 1941 50C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (637/8315). PCGS $47
- 1884-S $1 -- Rev Scratched -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (809/4319). PCGS $84
- 1938-D 10C MS66 Full Bands PCGS. PCGS $84
- 1927 $20 MS63 PCGS. PCGS $1,998
- (2)1943 50C MS64 NGC. $118
- 1935 10C MS65 Full Bands PCGS. CAC. PCGS $47
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- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
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2.50 dollar
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3 dollar
5 dollar
- Capped Bust, Small Eagle $5 Half Eagle
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- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- American Eagles
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10 dollar
- Capped Bust, Small Eagle $10 Eagle
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- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- American Eagles
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20 dollar
- Coronet Head $20 Double Eagle
- Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle
- Saint-Gaudens Ultra-High Relief $20 Gold
