1876 20C PR68 NGC....

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Gem Proof-68 1876 Centennial Twenty-Cent Piece

1876 20C PR68 NGC. The Coinage Act of March 3, 1875 authorized the 20-cent denomination. Patterns were first produced in 1874, in anticipation of this act. Inherent problems caused the denomination to come to an end almost as fast as it began. The size was too close to that of the Liberty Seated quarter, and the design (especially on the obverse) was nearly identical. These coins were issued for circulation only in 1875 and 1876, and in proof format from 1875 through 1878.
The 1875 Coinage Act was very brief, consisting of four short paragraphs or sections. Section 1 stated that a silver coin of the twenty cent denomination would be struck from time to time and would weight five grams. Section 2 limited the legal tender status to five dollars in any single payment. Section 3 limited the legally tolerated deviation to one and a half grains, or two-hundredths of an ounce in one thousand pieces. Finally, section 4 simply stated that laws then currently in force would apply equally to the new 20-cent piece.
This coin was struck in the year of the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park, only a short distance from the Mint. Exhibit organizers had asked the Mint to place its collection on display at the event, but Mint officials turned down the invitation on the grounds that it would be much too difficult to disassemble the glass-enclosed display. They invited visitors to the Centennial event to make the short journey to the mint for the purpose of viewing the collection. At the same time, the Mint produced a larger than usual number of proof coins, presumably to take advantage of higher anticipated demand for such coins from Centennial visitors. The 20-cent piece was the only exception to this rule, having a higher mintage in 1875, the first year of issue.
This sensational and Superb Gem Proof has alluring iridescent toning consisting primarily of sea-green, lilac, and gold, colors that change with different angles to the light source. Every design element is sharply defined. This is probably the single finest Proof example of this date known today.(#5304) (Registry values: N10218)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 27H3, PCGS# 5304, GSID# 5045)

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 5.00 grams
ASW: 0.14468oz
Mintage: 1,150

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