Price Guide for 1878 Twenty Cents Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,210.00 – $4,140.00Uncirculated: $18.50 – $24,725.00
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eBayCirculated: $14.50 – $2,200.00Uncirculated: $2,000.09 – $7,950.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,750.00 – $3,600.00Uncirculated: $3,750.00 – $60,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,070.00 – $55,812.50
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eBayUncirculated: $4,228.00 – $8,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4,000.00 – $65,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6,038.00 – $23,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $7,000.00 – $50,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1878 Twenty Cents
The 1878 Twenty Cent piece represents the final year of this short-lived denomination. Introduced in 1875, the Twenty Cent piece was quickly discontinued due to its similarity in size and design to the quarter dollar, which caused confusion among the public. The 1878 issue was produced only as proof coins for collectors, marking the end of this experimental denomination.
| Weight | 5 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 22 mm |
| Mint Marks | P (Philadelphia), S (San Francisco) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Obverse Design | Liberty Seated design, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
| Reverse Design | Perched eagle with spread wings, designed by William Barber |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1878 Twenty Cent pieces is crucial to their value, particularly given their proof-only status. Preservation quality is paramount, with factors such as mirrored fields, frosted devices, and absence of contact marks significantly impacting desirability and price.
Cameo and deep cameo contrast between the fields and devices can substantially increase value. Coins with original toning are often more desirable than those that have been dipped or cleaned.
Mintage: 600
Rarity Scale: Rare
Circulation Status: Not Intended for Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in PR65 and above, with cameo and deep cameo specimens highly sought after
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, due to its status as a final year issue and low mintage proof coin
Mintage: 12
Rarity Scale: Very Rare
Circulation Status: Not Intended for Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in any grade, with PR65 and above specimens being virtually unobtainable
Varieties Errors: None known
Market Demand: Very High, due to its extreme rarity and historical significance
The 1878 Twenty Cent piece’s value is largely driven by its historical significance as the final year of issue for this short-lived denomination. The extremely low mintage, particularly for the San Francisco issue, makes these coins highly sought after by collectors specializing in rare American coinage.
The San Francisco issue, with only 12 pieces minted, is considered a major numismatic rarity. Its appearance at auction is a significant event in the coin collecting community. The Philadelphia issue, while more available, is still quite scarce and in high demand due to its proof-only status and historical importance.
