Poll: GTG on my newp (1875-P 20c)

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lordmarcovan
lordmarcovan Posts: 45,335 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited September 9, 2026 9:10AM in U.S. Coin Forum

Just picked this baby up to fill that empty hole in my type set. I bought it as a type coin, but as a bonus, it’s also a Philadelphia mint coin, which by mintage was 30 times scarcer than the “common” 1875-S.


Remember, with the 20-cent pieces, the letters in LIBERTY on the shield were raised and not incuse, as they were on the other Seated Liberty denominations.



Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

Poll: GTG on my newp (1875-P 20c)

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  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,935 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    XF40

    I voted EF-40 because I am old school and think that an EF-45 or AU needs to have at least a trace of mint luster. I imagine it’s in an EF-45 slab.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,929 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF35

    Looks like a strong XF to me.

  • Rule556
    Rule556 Posts: 324 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF35

    I voted VF35 even though I know nothing about grading seated liberty coins. It just seems too worn for XF to me.

    Newbie collector of type and circulated Peace dollars, photographer of places and animals, player of instruments and builder of amplifiers, espresso industry professional, and a person distracted by shiny objects.

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  • lordmarcovan
    lordmarcovan Posts: 45,335 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Here is the (redacted) TrueView.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF35

    im good with a 35, if ya get a 40 thats even better

  • Batman23
    Batman23 Posts: 5,477 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    XF45

    I guessed 45. I think I see traces of luster around the stars, letters and date.

    A nice looking double dime and a great date/mm.

  • BigFrankie
    BigFrankie Posts: 60 ✭✭✭
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    XF45

    XF45

  • pursuitofliberty
    pursuitofliberty Posts: 7,926 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    XF40

    Put me down as graded 40 ... I really wanted to guess 38.24, but I know that's not how it works. Original, mostly mark free surfaces helped carry the grade.


    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

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  • tradedollarnut
    tradedollarnut Posts: 20,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    XF40

    Liberty is raised on these coins so wears faster. Strong XF in my opinion

    Early Dollar Set
  • marcmoish
    marcmoish Posts: 6,937 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF35

    That's a great looking double dime here, nice.

    imho, too much wear for EF but dang close!

  • lordmarcovan
    lordmarcovan Posts: 45,335 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @RedRocket said:
    Looks like a strong XF to me.

    But you voted VF35 in the poll? ;)

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • golden
    golden Posts: 10,536 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF35

    35 here.

  • lordmarcovan
    lordmarcovan Posts: 45,335 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    If I’d been viewing this blind, in someone else’s poll, I’d likely have likely been initially undecided between XF40 (70%) and XF45 (30%), and likely would have landed on XF40 myself.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • cameonut2011
    cameonut2011 Posts: 10,878 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF35

    I was debating between VF35 and EF40. I’m not very good at grading circulated twenty cents apparently.

  • Walkerfan
    Walkerfan Posts: 10,392 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF35

    Nice, original, upper end VF

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

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  • lordmarcovan
    lordmarcovan Posts: 45,335 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @BillJones said:
    I voted EF-40 because I am old school and think that an EF-45 or AU needs to have at least a trace of mint luster. I imagine it’s in an EF-45 slab.

    Well, you were spot-on in that analysis, I reckon. Especially the second sentence. And I’m with you that an AU coin should show some luster. Not sure if I’d apply that to XF (EF)45, though.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • Batman23
    Batman23 Posts: 5,477 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    XF45

    @lordmarcovan said:
    If I’d been viewing this blind, in someone else’s poll, I’d likely have likely been initially undecided between XF40 (70%) and XF45 (30%), and likely would have landed on XF40 myself.

    Based on the poll results and your comment... No sticker for you!

  • TallahasseeCoinClub
    TallahasseeCoinClub Posts: 477 ✭✭✭✭
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    VF35

    I guessed VF-35. If the coin has no luster, as was implied by the OP, then frankly, PCGS overgraded it. However, with enough luster present, I could agree with their opinion - after all, they had the huge advantage of seeing it in-hand.

    Official PCGS account of:

    www.TallahasseeCoinClub.com

  • WiscKau
    WiscKau Posts: 337 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 10, 2026 4:26AM
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    VF30

    Voted 30, oops. :(

    A nice example, congrat's.

  • lordmarcovan
    lordmarcovan Posts: 45,335 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Batman23 said:

    @lordmarcovan said:
    If I’d been viewing this blind, in someone else’s poll, I’d likely have likely been initially undecided between XF40 (70%) and XF45 (30%), and likely would have landed on XF40 myself.

    Based on the poll results and your comment... No sticker for you!

    Yeah, maybe not. But I’ve never been one for the sticker game anyway.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,929 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF35

    It feels good to be right.

  • lordmarcovan
    lordmarcovan Posts: 45,335 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 11, 2026 8:34PM
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    @RedRocket said:
    It feels good to be right.

    Maybe you are and maybe you aren’t, but the GTG in this case meant “guess the TPG’s grade”. Which wasn’t VF35. ;). But yeah, you did nail it when you said “strong XF”, despite your VF35 poll vote.

    Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.

  • relicsncoins
    relicsncoins Posts: 8,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Looks very similar to a 45 I bought raw and submitted to PCGS and it came back 45. I sold it years ago and my current piece is graded VF30/30 on an ANACS photo cert and came back 50 from PCGS.

    Need a Barber Half with ANACS photo certificate. If you have one for sale please PM me. Current Ebay auctions
  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,929 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF35

    It feels good to be right.> @lordmarcovan said:

    @RedRocket said:
    It feels good to be right.

    Maybe you are and maybe you aren’t, but the GTG in this case meant “guess the TPG’s grade”. Which wasn’t VF35. ;). But yeah, you nailed it when you said “strong XF”, despite your VF35 poll vote.

    Thanks! Feels good to get one of these exactly right.

  • oldabeintx
    oldabeintx Posts: 3,214 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF25

    Sorry, but unless these are weakly struck, this isn’t an XF coin. Simply not enough detail.

  • Kove
    Kove Posts: 2,058 ✭✭✭✭
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    VF35

    The reverse looks strong XF, but the obverse looks very VF to me.

  • 291fifth
    291fifth Posts: 25,218 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF30 but no better. XF45 ... no way.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • Batman23
    Batman23 Posts: 5,477 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    XF45

    I was torn between XF40 and XF45. I see some luster in the protected areas and I guessed XF45 because I see it as a solid XF coin. It would be a PQ40 in my opinion. I just don't see it as a VF coin.

  • GuzziSport
    GuzziSport Posts: 604 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Late to the game, but very nice looking coin, and a classic Vf obverse, xf reverse = vf30.
    Good example of a TPG missing by a fairly wide margin, IMO.
    Again, not knocking it at all, it’s a very nice type coin….

    Other passions include golf, Moto Guzzi motorcycles, and Euro motorcycles in general.
    Chris

  • CRHer700
    CRHer700 Posts: 2,153 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    XF40

    A 40 seemed right to me. I wouldn't give it the extra five due to the lack of luster like Bill said.

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • WinLoseWin
    WinLoseWin Posts: 1,912 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF35

    @lordmarcovan said:

    @BillJones said:
    I voted EF-40 because I am old school and think that an EF-45 or AU needs to have at least a trace of mint luster. I imagine it’s in an EF-45 slab.

    Well, you were spot-on in that analysis, I reckon. Especially the second sentence. And I’m with you that an AU coin should show some luster. Not sure if I’d apply that to XF (EF)45, though.

    .
    .

    The old school notion of mint luster on circulated coins is something I am also afflicted with.

    The ANA Grading Standards book from 1996 defines Mint Luster as "The 'frost' on the surface...Caused by a series of microscopic lines formed during the striking process". It has been there since the 1977 edition. The term Frost is used for more than just describing cameo proofs.

    It also notes for the Twenty Cent piece in EF-45 "part of mint luster is still present" and for EF-40 "Traces of mint luster may still show".

    It looks like PCGS Photograde may take the same view from seeing the photos, which happens to also use an 1875 Philadelphia for both VF-35 and EF-40, which appears to have traces of luster. I also suspect I might consider the XF-45 1875-CC example to be undergraded if seen in person as it gives the impression of AU frost (AKA luster).

    The OP coin does seem a closer match for their VF-35, though my opinion was posted before seeing the photos. So is the difference in the OP slab grade and Photograde from a variation in applying their standards or strike related or something else?

    Maybe I would think the OP coin is an XF wear-wise if I saw it in person. Strike sharpness can vary a lot on these. Once had an 1875-CC that was a lustrous AU but with only 2 or 3 letters of LIBERTY showing and a blob for much of the eagle's wing on the left. Sold for back of XF price at the time.

    .
    .

    From PCGS Photograde:

    https://pcgs.com/photograde#/Twenty/Grades

    .
    .

    VF-35

    .

    .
    .

    EF-40

    .

    .
    .

    EF-45

    .

    "To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin

  • MWallace
    MWallace Posts: 4,682 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF35

    Nice example.

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