Owner Comments:
1875 20C Twenty Cent,
Judd-1407, Pollock-1550,
Rarity: Low R.6, PR63 Cameo
Struck in silver with a plain edge.
Obverse: Similar to the adopted 20 Cent die, although LIBERTY is incused rather than raised as on the regular-issue coins the date is smaller.
Reverse: Exhibits the denomination 1/5 OF A DOLLAR centered within a laurel wreath (similar in design to the 3CN pieces) and the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the border but most unique is another expression of the denomination TWENTY CENTS below.
The Mint must have been wary of customers confusing these twenty cent pieces with the Seated quarter counterparts.
Just over a dozen examples are known in silver with a similar number extant in copper, and a few pieces also known in aluminum and nickel. This is a mostly brilliant example with deeply mirrored fields and frosted devices sharply struck and just a hint of purple-blue toning around the margins.
Comment:
The dual denominations format may have indicated the Mint was wary of customers confusing these twenty cent pieces with their Seated quarter counterparts. The verbose legend forces a simple wreath motif, similar to that of the issued three cent nickel. . Just over a dozen examples are known in silver with a similar number extant in copper, and a few pieces also known in aluminum and nickel.
This is a mostly brilliant example with deeply mirrored fields and frosted devices to set apart with a full strike and softly frosted texture and just a hint of purple-blue toning around the margins Only a few wispy hairlines to preclude a higher numeric grade.
Provenance/Appearances:
From Heritage June 2021 Signature Auction / Lot #3766; Prior Stacks and Bowers March 2011 Baltimore / Lot# 6059; Also appears simlar to the Bowers and Ruddy 7/28/1981 William R. Sieck Collection / Lot #15 and the Superior June 1077 Walter Lee Crouch Sale 1977 / Lot # 383 but could not confirm with any photo markings