1878 Twenty Dollar ($20), Judd-1643, Pollock-1843

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1878 Twenty Dollar ($20), Judd-1643, Pollock-1843 PCGS PR64-DCAM

1878 Twenty Dollar ($20), Judd-1643, Pollock-1843 on eBay

Image Courtesy of Heritage Auctions on eBay

The obverse showcases the Liberty Head profile from the standard double eagle issue, although it appears not to have been struck from the Type Three hub utilized for regular issue coins. The typical diagonal die line extending from the hair to the left side of the letter Y is absent, which is a feature present on all regular issue coins of the Type Three design. The inscription is a variation of that found on the four-dollar Stella, detailing the goloid composition and weight of the coin: * 30 * G * 1.5 * S * 3.5 * C * 35 * G * R * A * M * S *. The date is positioned beneath the bust, and the initials J.B.L. (James B. Longacre) are found on the truncation of the bust.

The reverse side resembles that of the regular issue coin, featuring an eagle and shield design, with the legend E PLURIBUS UNUM displayed on the scroll work to the left and right. Encircling this, the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appears, with the denomination TWENTY DOLLARS located below. An oval of stars and a glory of rays above the eagle includes the motto DEO EST GLORIA. This motto differs from the IN GOD WE TRUST inscription found on the officially adopted design.

The diameter remains consistent with that of the standard double eagle (34 mm), but the quintuple Stella was intended to be slightly thicker and heavier (35 grams compared to 33.436 grams). It is reported to have been struck in goloid composition with a reeded edge, although no elemental analysis has been conducted to confirm the composition of the known examples. Nevertheless, the current coin was weighed for its appearance in the Trompeter sale in 1992 (prior to its encapsulation in a holder) and was found to possess the correct weight for the goloid composition of 35.01 grams. The design was also struck in copper (Judd-1644), with approximately a dozen specimens known, at least five of which have been gilt.

Rarity Scale

1878 Twenty Dollar ($20), Judd-1643, Pollock-1843 Pattern Coins on eBay

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