5 Extremely Rare 20 Cent Coins Worth a Whopping $4.7 Million: The numismatic world is full of surprises. Here history and value are intertwined in the most unexpected ways, and among them stand a few that highlight their rarity with the ability to hide in plain sight.
Today, we are going to take a journey through five extraordinary 20 cent coins that, despite their seemingly modest denomination, carry a combined worth of an astonishing $4.7 million.
These coins, still potentially circulating in everyday transactions, represent the ultimate treasure hunt for coin enthusiasts and casual observers alike.
The Allure of the 20 Cent Piece
Ahead of our top 5 list, it’s worth considering the unique circumstance the 20 cent piece occupies within coinage history, often overlooked and confused with quarters, these coins have a story of their own.
The brief periods that these coins circulated in various countries only made them something of an oddity. And maybe that is what has contributed to the extreme rarity and value of some of the specimens that exist.
Our Stunning Five
Let’s unmask these numismatic wonders, each with a story of quirks from the mint, historical context, and a stroke of luck in ending as one of the most valuable coins of its kind.
1876-CC Twenty Cent Piece:
Topping our list of true giants is the 1876-CC Twenty Cent Piece, the real giant in rare coins. It was minted in Carson City, Nevada, and the phenomenal historical circumstances and decisions made at the time of minting created the ideal situation for one of the rarest and most valuable coins in American numismatics.
Historical Context
The twenty cent piece was issued in 1875 as an effort to help relieve a lack of small change out west. But it quickly proved unpopular since the coin was similar in size to the quarter dollar. It was out the door by 1876.
The Carson City Mint
The “CC” mintmark on this coin indicates it was struck at the Carson City Mint, a facility that operated for less than 20 years but produced some of the most sought-after coins in American history. The mint’s proximity to the famous Comstock Lode silver mines gives its coins a romantic connection to the Old West.
Rarity and Survival
Although mint records indicate 10,000 twenty cent pieces were produced at Carson City in 1876, nearly all were melted prior to leaving the mint. Currently, only an estimated 20 specimens are known to exist and is one of the rarest coins in US history.
- Identification Marks
- Obverse: Seated Liberty figure
- Reverse: Eagle spread wings
- Mintmark: Look for “CC” on the reverse under the eagle’s wings
The Hunt
Although finding an 1876-CC Twenty Cent Piece in circulation is infinitely small, it is not impossible. There are a few specimens found in old collections or as family heirlooms, sometimes by people who are not aware of their value.
The 1894-S Barber Dime:
A Dime in Disguise as a 20 Cent Piece
Value: $750,000
Not technically a twenty cent piece, the 1894-S Barber Dime is on this list due to its extreme rarity and an interesting connection to the twenty cent denomination.
The Mysterious Mintage
Only 24 of those dimes ever existed, and why they remain so obscure no one knows to this day. A popular story says they were struck to help fill out a bullion account in the San Francisco Mint, as the superintendent allowed three to each of his seven banker acquaintances and gave three to his daughter.
The Twenty Cent Connection
It is an interesting fact that a few numismatists think that these dimes were minted with dies meant for twenty cent pieces, which had long been out of circulation. This association, although not verified, makes these as yet intriguing coins.
Identifying Marks
- Obverse: Boasts of the Barber Liberty design
- Reverse: Puts out the wreath around the denomination
- Mintmark: Look for the “S” on the reverse near the bottom of the wreath
The Legend of the Ice Cream Dime
There is a famous anecdote attached to this coin. The mint superintendent’s daughter spent one of her three specimens on ice cream, it is said. This probably is apocryphal, but it has become a numismatic legend that everyone loves.
1920-S Australian Twenty Cent Piece: A Commonwealth Rarity
Estimated Value: $250,000
And then we jump to the southern hemisphere where this 1920-S Australian Twenty Cent Piece emerges as one very important coin from Australia’s past.
Historical Significance
This coin was produced at a time when Australian currency was changing. The country was shifting away from the British system and creating its own unique coinage, but for a period of time, the old system’s vestiges remained, such as the twenty cent denomination.
The Sydney Mint
The “S” mintmark on this coin denotes the Sydney Mint in Australia, as it was its first colonial branch of the Royal Mint. Processing gold from Australian gold rushes, the Sydney Mint played a big role in creating coinage for the colony’s growth.
Rarity Factors
The mintage figures are not known, but very few of these coins survived to the present day. Most were probably melted down when Australia adopted its new currency system.
- Identifying Marks
- Obverse: The portrait of King George V
- Reverse: Australian coat of arms
- Mintmark: “S” is found below the bust of the king on the obverse
A Piece of Colonial History
This coin is a very interesting snapshot of Australia’s journey towards monetary independence, so it is not only valuable but also historically significant.
1875 Twenty Cent Piece: First Year Rarity
Value: $150,000
American coinage returns as we now turn our attention to the 1875 Twenty Cent Piece. This piece, while not nearly as rare as the 1876-CC version, is found in certain examples with pretty nice price tags attached to it.
Birth of a Short-Lived Denomination
The United States introduced its twenty cent piece in 1875, due largely to the efforts of the Nevada senator John P. Jones, who suggested it as a way of eliminating the merchants’ practice of rounding up prices to the quarter dollar in the absence of twenty cent pieces.
Coin Mintage and Distribution
These coins were minted at Philadelphia, Carson City, and San Francisco. While not too rare in circulated grades, uncirculated specimens- especially those produced at the Carson City mint-may be priceless.
The Design
Designed by Chief Engraver William Barber, the obverse featured seated Liberty, much like other silvers of that time, with an eagle appearing on the reverse.
Identifying Marks
- Obverse: Seated Liberty
- Reverse: Spread wings Eagle
- Mintmark: Observe for “CC” or “S” below the eagle on the back (if stamped)
- A Failed Innovation
The twenty cent coin resembled too closely the quarter dollar, which created public consternation and resentment. Minting for circulation was stopped in 1876, so the 1875 coins are unique because they are the only fully minted coins of this short-lived series.
The 1858 New Zealand Twenty Cent Pattern:
A Coin That Never
Price: $50,000
Our last piece takes us to New Zealand with a coin that, strictly speaking, never officially entered circulation but holds immense value for its historical significance and extreme rarity.
A Pattern for a New Nation
Plans for the creation of distinct coinage for New Zealand as a British colony had emerged back in 1858. Thus, twenty cents was one such denomination that was proposed and would have been on a decimal scale at a time when Britain was still operating the pounds, shillings, and pence scale.
Coin Collection: London Mint Connection
These pattern coins were minted at the Royal Mint in London, and they are the proposed designs for New Zealand’s coinage. Only a few were made, and they were meant to be tested rather than circulated.
A Dream Unfulfilled
The idea of a unique New Zealand coinage was dropped, and the colony continued to use British currency. This makes the 1858 pattern an interesting “what if” in numismatic history.
- Marks on the Obverse
- This coin has a young Queen Victoria.
- Reverse: It shows the denomination within a wreath, above which is the word “NEW ZEALAND”
- Edge: Plain, contrary to most issued coins of this period
A Numismatic Time Capsule
These pattern coins give a window into a juncture that New Zealand nearly took in terms of its national currency.
The Hunt itself
The presence of these truly rare and valuable coins still in circulation adds an even more exciting aspect to day-to-day purchases. Though the chances are extremely low, even the slightest possibility brings every handful of spare change into the realm of potential fortune.
- For Treasure Hunters
- Know Your Coins: Learn about the identifying features of these rare coins. Knowledge is your best weapon.
- Check Your Change: Get into the habit of looking at the coins you get as change.
- Don’t Look Only at Condition: Even heavily worn specimens of these rare coins are worth a king’s ransom.
- Old Collections: Family heirlooms or old coin collections could be hiding gems.
- Be a Skeptic: If you suspect you have found something, be sure to get it authenticated by a reputable expert before getting your hopes up.
Future of Rare Coin Collecting
Going ahead in life, a new future awaits rare coin collecting, both in terms of challenges and opportunities:
Digital Recordation
State-of-the-art imaging techniques along with online data banking help to document and authenticate rare coins within unprecedented ease. The time is near when there will be a possibility of bringing more specimens to light.
Changing Attitudes Toward Cash
As societies increasingly turn to digital payments, the pool of circulating coins that may be discovered in the future could shrink. But this also could make physical coins more interesting to future generations.
New Frontiers
As minting technology improves, new types of errors or variations might create the rare coins of the future, continuing the cycle of numismatic discovery.
Conclusion:
The Enduring Allure of Hidden Treasure
This is a tale of five extraordinarily rare and precious twenty cent pieces, and one that transcends the legend of hidden wealth.
It’s about the history which surrounds us in the tangible connections to the past that may just be sitting right in front of us.