Survival Estimates
Soon after the twenty-cent pieces were released, the U.S. Treasury began receiving these unwanted coins for exchange. In addition to the large degree to which the government melted its
own coins, many of the pieces that did circulate ended up being melted by the public or lost through attrition. The table below estimates the number of surviving pieces for each issue.
The estimation is based on data from the annual Mint reports, population reports from the major coin grading services, and the authors' experience searching coins shows, coin shops, and auctions.
Issue Estimated number of surviving pieces 1875
1,500-2,000
1875-CC
4,000-5,000
1875-S
20,000-30,000
1876
1,000-1,500
1876-CC
18-20
1877
250-280
1878
420-480
