20 Cent Pieces

This short-lived coin was authorized by the Act of March, 3 1875. Soon after the appearance of the first twenty-cent piece, people complained about the similarity in design and size to the quarter dollar. For this reason only pieces dated 1875 and 1876 were issued for circulation. Proof pieces were available 1877 and 1878. The eagle is very similar to that used on the Trade dollar, but the edge of this coin is plain. The mintmark is positioned on the reverse below the eagle. The twenty-cent piece was merely a substitute for two dimes.