6614

1876 20C PR67 NGC. Ex: P. Kaufman. This short-lived denomination was first proposed in 1791, and the

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:NA Estimated At:45.00 - 60.00 USD
1876 20C PR67 NGC. Ex: P. Kaufman. This short-lived denomination was first proposed in 1791, and the
1876 20C PR67 NGC. Ex: P. Kaufman. This short-lived denomination was first proposed in 1791, and then again in 1806. It was not until the idea of a Twenty Cent piece was revived by Senator John Percival Jones (R-NV) in February 1874 that the Mint took serious steps to strike coins of this denomination. While Jones' motivation may have been a genuine desire to alleviate the difficulties of making change on the frontier after the passing of the silver Half Dime, it is more likely that he made his proposal at the request of western mine owners who desired another outlet for their precious metal. Regardless of which, if either, of these theories is correct, there can be little doubt that the Twenty Cent piece ranks as one of the most glaring failures in U.S. coinage history. Business strikes were produced in only 1875 and 1876 with two additional proof deliveries in 1877 and 1878. The Philadelphia Mint's output of Twenty Cent pieces in 1876 amounted to just 15,900 pieces, 1,290 coins of which were proofs. Writing in 1988, Breen suggests that the dies that Mint employees used for the proofs are different from those that they used for business strikes. The certified population of the proof 1876 dwindles rapidly as one crosses the Gem threshold. There are only four examples at the PR67 level, with a mere three finer (10/02). The originality of this Superb Gem is equally as impressive as that of the PR66 NGC 1877 Twenty Cent piece from the Kaufman Collection that we offered as lot 6464 in our September 2002 Long Beach Signature Sale. Both sides are richly toned in crimson-copper shades with cobalt-blue peripheral accents that are more extensive on the obverse. The strike is full in virtually all areas, and the silky-smooth surfaces are devoid of even a single mentionable blemish. We are also unable to locate any suitable pedigree markers. Clearly, this coin deserves careful attention among advanced proof type collectors and dedicated specialists.From the Philip Kaufman Collection. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots at the rate of 200-250 per hour. Sometimes eBay Premier live bid software cannot keep up with that pace, so we strongly recommend that you place a realistic proxy bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Also please note that all Heritage/CAA lots purchased through eBay Premier carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions.