Twenty Cent Piece (1875 - 1878)

Overview

In the annals of United States history, the Twenty Cent Piece, which was made between the years 1875 and 1878, is still regarded as one of the most fascinating and significant pieces that have ever been manufactured. Even though it was only created in limited quantities, it has gained historical significance among numismatists because of the controversy that took place about its design and the unusual appellation that it was given.

When there was a perceived need for a coin that would bridge the gap between the dime and the quarter, the Twenty Cent Piece was designed as a reaction to this seen need. The dime was relatively small in comparison to the quarter. At the time, there were issues with coin shortages in the western region of the United States, particularly about the little change that was available. The intention was to provide a choice that may potentially simplify the process of doing transactions. On the other hand, quickly after its introduction, the currency was met with widespread disapproval from the broader populace.

These coins caused a significant lot of confusion among the general people because the design characteristics and the size of the coin were so like those that are seen on the Quarter Dollar. It was only in the years 1875 and 1876 that Twenty Cent Pieces were made available for circulation. During the years 1877 and 1878, they were initially only available for purchase in the form of Proofs.

• • A representation of Liberty seated on a rock while holding a staff that was capped with a liberty cap was featured on the obverse of the coin, which was designed in a manner that was comparable to that of the quarter.
• • On the reverse, there was an image of an eagle that was carrying an olive branch and arrows while its wings were stretched out in a broad arc. In contrast to the reeded edge that was present on the quarter, the coin had a smooth and plain edge.

The fact that it was only used for a short time teaches us a lot about the difficulties of designing coins and getting people to accept them. Collectors are very interested in getting it because it is a unique and important piece of American history.