How to Integrate the 1875 Twenty-Cent “Double Dime” into a Master Type Set: A Collector’s Complete Guide

Building a Type Set Is the Ultimate Journey Through History

Let me tell you why I obsess over the twenty-cent piece. Among the most intriguing and overlooked denominations in American numismatics, this peculiar coin—affectionately nicknamed the “Double Dime”—occupies a unique niche every serious type collector should understand. Struck for just a handful of years in the mid-1870s, it represents one of the shortest-lived denominations ever authorized by the United States Mint. For type set collectors, integrating this rare variety into a comprehensive collection delivers a challenge and reward unlike anything else in the hobby.

In my experience grading and acquiring coins for type sets, I’ve found the twenty-cent piece divides opinion. Some collectors dismiss it as an oddity—a coin that “looks like a gopher,” as one forum veteran quipped—while others recognize it as a critical gap in any Liberty Seated collection aspiring to completeness. The truth lies somewhere in between, and that’s precisely what makes it so fascinating for the dedicated type collector.

Understanding the Twenty-Cent Piece: A Brief Historical Overview

The Origins of a Short-Lived Denomination

Congress authorized the twenty-cent piece in 1875 as a convenience for commerce in the Western states, where the five-cent cent was insufficient and the quarter dollar too large. The coin featured the familiar Liberty Seated design by William Barber, identical in motif to the quarter but distinguished by its distinctive edge—reeding that ran to the rim. This subtle difference is one of the first things I examine when authenticating a twenty-cent piece.

Mintages were modest from the start. The total mintage across all four minting locations—Philadelphia (no mint mark), Carson City (CC), San Francisco (S), and the optional Philadelphia issue—was approximately 1,155,000 coins for the key date of 1875 alone. However, as numismatic historians have documented, the US Mint melted enormous quantities. Current estimates suggest only 20,000 to 30,000 examples survive in all grades today, making even circulated specimens genuinely scarce and boosting their numismatic value.

The Four Mint Marks and Their Significance

For the type collector, understanding the mint mark hierarchy is essential:

• 1875 (Philadelphia, no mint mark): The most readily available issue for type purposes, though still challenging in higher grades.
• 1875-CC (Carson City): The crown jewel of the series. Carson City mintages were small, and survival rates are low. This is the coin most type collectors covet for its collectibility and rarity.
• 1875-S (San Francisco): Moderately scarce, with decent examples available at moderate budgets.
• 1875-P (Philadelphia): Often overlooked, but nice examples with full striking detail can be found with patient searching.

And then there’s the 1876-CC—the coin that haunts every type collector’s dreams. Described in forum discussions as “virtually impossible” to locate, this date represents the holy grail of the twenty-cent piece series. If you ever have the opportunity to acquire one, don’t hesitate—simply walk toward the deal with a checkbook ready.

Choosing the Best Strike for Your Type Set

What Constitutes a “Type” Quality Strike?

When I’m selecting a coin for a type set, I’m not necessarily chasing the highest grade or the most dramatic toning. A type coin needs to clearly and honestly represent its design. For the twenty-cent piece, this means prioritizing coins with:

1. Clear LIBERTY definition: The head of Liberty must show sufficient detail to be recognizable. Forum collectors have noted that on lower-grade examples, “you can almost pretend to see the L and Y in Liberty” on a VF25 versus a VF20—a fine line that matters for type representation and strike quality.
2. Visible star and lettering strike: The stars along the rim and the lettering in the legend should be discernible. One collector noted that a particular example had a “really nice” strike along the lettering and stars, even though the centers were less impressive.
3. Authentic surfaces with natural patina: Avoid coins with cleaned or damaged surfaces. As one forum member lamented regarding a “whizzed AU Details” coin they liquidated: “You really shouldn’t have been fooled by that.” Original surfaces are non-negotiable for a serious type set.
4. Correct edge reeding: The twenty-cent piece’s edge runs to the rim, distinguishing it from the quarter. This is a critical authentication point.

Grading Considerations for the Twenty-Cent Piece

The grading landscape for twenty-cent pieces is nuanced. In the forum discussions, we saw examples spanning the entire grading spectrum:

• VF20 (Very Fine 20): Solid type-level choice. One collector found a 1875-CC VF20 that was “graded by our hosts as PC20” and described it as having a “quality look” that made it highly collectible.
• XF45 (Extra Fine 45): A step up, with more Liberty hair detail visible. One collector felt their XF45 was undergraded, which speaks to the subjectivity that can exist even among experienced graders.
• MS63 (Mint State 63): A premium type choice. One collector proudly displayed a PCGS MS63 with a prooflike reverse—a stunning example for any type set.
• MS66 (Mint State 66): The realm of the advanced type collector. An NGC MS66 was shared in the forum, representing a coin that could anchor an entire collection.
• PR65+ CAC (Proof 65+ with Certified Acceptance Corporation verification): The ultimate proof example, verified for eye appeal by one of the most respected third-party quality standards in numismatics.

Dansco Albums: The Practical Foundation for Your Type Set

Why Dansco Albums Remain the Gold Standard

For the type set collector, the album you choose matters more than you might think. Dansco albums have been the industry standard for decades, and for good reason. Their acid-free pages, clear viewing windows, and standardized layouts accommodate the twenty-cent piece alongside every other denomination in the Liberty Seated series. When I’m building or reorganizing a type set, I always start with a Dansco album because it forces me to think about each coin’s placement within the broader context of American coinage.

Album Organization Strategy

Here’s how I recommend organizing your Dansco album for the twenty-cent piece:

1. Place the twenty-cent piece immediately after the quarter dollar. This emphasizes the denomination relationship and makes the type set flow logically.
2. Include all four mint marks if possible. Even if you start with a budget-friendly Philadelphia issue, leave a designated slot for the 1875-CC or 1875-S as your collection grows.
3. Document provenance. Note the source, date of acquisition, and any grading details on the album page. This becomes invaluable if you ever decide to sell or have the set authenticated.
4. Leave room for upgrades. As one collector wisely noted about their current type piece: “It’s perfectly nice for now, but subject to eventual upgrade when the right coin comes along.”

Alternative Storage: Holders and Slabs

While Dansco albums are excellent for building a set, many collectors eventually transfer key coins into permanent slabs from PCGS, NGC, ANACS, or ICG. The forum discussion highlighted several slabbed examples, including an NGC MS66 and a PCGS MS63. For the type collector, slabbing your representative coin provides preservation, authentication, and liquidity—all critical factors if this is an investment as well as a hobby.

Budget vs. High-End Type Collecting: Finding Your Sweet Spot

The Budget-Friendly Approach

Not every type collector has the budget for an MS65 or higher twenty-cent piece. The good news is that this denomination is accessible at multiple price points:

• Circulated VF/XF examples: The most budget-friendly route. A VF20 or XF45 from the 1875-P or even 1875-S can serve as an excellent type representative for under $200–$400, depending on market conditions and numismatic value trends.
• Raw coins graded by host services: Several forum collectors mentioned purchasing raw coins that were subsequently graded by their local hosting service. This approach can save money compared to buying pre-slabbed coins, though it carries some risk.
• Lower-grade CC pieces: Even a problem-free 1875-CC in lower grades can be found and provides the mint mark variety that makes a type set truly complete.

The High-End Strategy

For collectors with the means and ambition, the high-end approach to the twenty-cent piece type set involves targeting:

• Choice-Gem MS or Proof examples: As one collector stated: “I am looking for a nice one in choice-gem MS or Proof, for Type set.” These coins represent the pinnacle of the denomination and serve as showpieces with exceptional eye appeal.
• Frost varieties and die pairings: The forum revealed an active community of collectors pursuing die varieties tracked by the BF (Bowers and Farran) numbering system. One collector noted they were “trying to do the die variety set by BF number” and referenced a registry on Gary Fortin’s website that had been “lonely” for some time—suggesting an opportunity for dedicated collectors.
• Historical provenance pieces: The Stack’s Bowers Galleries January 2012 Americana Auction offered a remarkable item: the original envelope for one of the first 1875 twenty-cent pieces struck, inscribed in cursive by A.C. Eckfeldt (Chief Coiner) and addressed to W.E.D. (William Ewing Dubois). Such pieces are the domain of advanced collectors and museums.

Bridging the Gap: The “Step-Up” Philosophy

Many experienced type collectors, myself included, embrace a philosophy I call the “step-up” approach. You acquire a solid, honest representative coin at a budget price, enjoy having it in your album, and then upgrade when the right opportunity arises. As one collector put it about their current twenty-cent piece: “One of my goals is to include at least one coin from each mint in the set, so if I do, something else will need to fill the CC spot.” This pragmatic mindset keeps the hobby enjoyable rather than stressful.

Pitfalls to Avoid When Acquiring Twenty-Cent Pieces

Problem Coins and

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