Numismatic

1875 Twenty Cent Piece Fine

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In 1875, the United States Mint produced a highly unusual denomination: the twenty-cent piece. This specific coin, minted in Philadelphia, represents a brief numismatic experiment, with only 39,700 of these pieces struck that year. Composed of 90 percent silver, the coin contains 0.1447 troy ounces of precious metal, offering a tangible connection to the post-Civil War era. The obverse of the coin displays a modified version of Christian Gobrecht's famous Seated Liberty motif, created by designer William Barber. It depicts Lady Liberty seated upon a rock, holding a staff topped with a Phrygian cap in one hand while her other hand rests on a shield. The date 1875 is clearly inscribed beneath her feet. On the reverse, an eagle is depicted clutching a bundle of arrows and an olive branch in its talons. Surrounding the eagle are the bold inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the denomination "TWENTY CENTS." This coin survives in Fine condition, showing honest wear from its time in circulation during the late nineteenth century.