The twenty-cent piece lasted only four years and looked too much like the quarter, yet it connects western commerce, Carson City, and a distinctive shieldless eagle reverse.

Circulation issues were struck in 1875 and 1876; the 1877 and 1878 Philadelphia records are proof-only. The denomination ended before a stable public role developed.

Core specifications

Issue period
1875–1878
Catalog mints
3
Reported catalog mintage
1,355,000
Composition
90% Silver - 10% Copper
Diameter
22 mm
Weight
5 g

Useful in theory, confusing in the hand

Supporters argued that a twenty-cent piece would help western transactions where five-cent coins were scarce. The denomination entered production in 1875.

Its size, Seated Liberty obverse, and general appearance were too close to the quarter. Production collapsed quickly, leaving a compact but challenging series.

Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type

Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.

The main portrait and date

Liberty sits with shield and pole in the familiar Seated design; the plain edge, size, and date help separate it from a quarter.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

A right-facing eagle without a shield dominates the reverse, with TWENTY CENTS clearly stating the unusual denomination.

Where the cataloged coins were made

Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.

  • S — San Francisco: 1875; 1,155,000. Confirm the S mint mark together with its expected year, position, and issue format.
  • CC — Carson City: 1875, 1876; 143,290. Confirm the CC mint mark together with its expected year, position, and issue format.
  • P — Philadelphia: 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878; 56,710. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.

Representative issues that explain the series

A type coin tells the main story; a complete set brings in scarce Carson City material and proof-only final years.

  • 1875 CC — 133,290. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1876 CC — 10,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1877 P — 510. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1878 P — 600. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Issue catalog

1875 P Twenty Cent1875 S Twenty Cent1875 CC Twenty Cent1876 P Twenty Cent1876 CC Twenty Cent1877 P Twenty Cent1878 P Twenty Cent

From one type coin to a complete catalog

  • One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
  • Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
  • Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 7 issue records, 0 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. History of U.S. Circulating Coins — United States Mint
  2. Quarter: Designs and Programs — United States Mint
  3. Twenty Cent category reference — PCGS CoinFacts