Numismatic

1875-S Twenty Cent Piece AU

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In the mid 1870s, the United States experimented with a highly unusual denomination: the twenty-cent piece. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this 1875 silver coin represents a brief and intriguing moment in American numismatic history. Containing 0.1447 ounces of silver with a purity of 0.900, this specimen survives in Almost Uncirculated condition, preserving the fine details of its original engraving. The front of the coin displays a modified version of the classic Seated Liberty motif, originally created by Christian Gobrecht and adapted for this issue by William Barber. It depicts Lady Liberty resting on a rock, clutching a shield in one hand while holding a staff topped with a liberty cap in the other. The year 1875 is clearly inscribed beneath her feet. On the reverse side, a powerful eagle is depicted grasping a bundle of arrows and a peaceful olive branch in its talons. The mint mark "S" is positioned below the eagle, indicating its origin at the San Francisco facility, which produced 1,155,000 of these specific coins. This short-lived denomination remains a captivating curiosity for anyone exploring the evolution of United States coinage.